International investment in USA properties

[Mary Gilson]

Is anyone here an international person with USA real estate?  By international, I mean no green card, no citizenship, no rights to work in the USA, and no social security number. 

I am a Canadian with one rental property already, and a solid plan for growth in Canada.  However, in my area prices are fairly high in relation to potential rental income.  I have been consistently impressed by the low property prices some USA investors are finding and find it intriguing.  As I have close links in the USA (I freelance for some great USA companies, my mother is from the USA, and I still have a lot of family there), I have been dabbling in the concept of investing in the US property market as well.  

There are many things I know I need to consider: Taxes, reliable property managers, areas, financing (I may self-finance), ownership (llc or personal), etc.  I'm not even sure where to start..  Can anyone point me to some resources or give some advice.