Buying Remotely

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I am preparing to buy my first property but currently live and work outside of the country. I am buying the property from a family member, so have a complete understanding of the history, repairs and condition of the property. How much of the buying process can I complete remotely? Can I get preapproved for a loan without sitting face to face with a lender? Is it possible to sign and fax/email/Fed Ex legal paperwork? What about electronic signatures and video conferencing?

I live and work in China. Travel back and forth to Baltimore is both time consuming and expensive. The more I can do from abroad, the better. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!