I have met some of my partners at meet ups, best contractors, scored deals, raised money for deals, you name it. 

BRRR - Start with a hard money loan for the initial purchase and rehab, then refinance into a 30Y loan once completed.

Would it be better to focus on a fix and flip and use a hard money lender with HELOC as capital reserves. 

80% Cash Out No Seasoning3 Month Seasoning6 Month SeasoningShort Term & Long Term Rental OptionsVacant OptionsManufactured Home OptionsSome lenders will do 100% of your purchase price + rehab costsSome lenders will do 120% of your purchase price + rehab costsSome lenders will do 140% of your purchase price + rehab costsSome lenders will allow for PadSplit PropertiesBuying correctly with hard money can also allow you to get your cash back from the hard money loan so that you can do a Rate/Term refi with almost all lenders having no seasoning and getting better rates due to not being a cash out refi!

An INVESTOR should only pay the price that meets their ROI criteria, which should include risk factor!

When you're on a temporary visa, especially without a clear path to permanent residency, the risk involved can be substantial—both financially and legally.

I think this is extreme price gouging, especially since we did not agree to pay that kind of money and if he was expecting that kind of money, he should not have awaited to the very end to tell us.  

About 7 x-ed our money in over five years.

I would suggest working with a broker that is very familiar with conventional, commercial, hard money, non-qm, and DSCR loans.

I make money just doesn’t show all of itWith 20% down and your credit, as others have stated there is no need for a co-signor.