We evaluated all available Mac accounting packages - open source and commercial - available at the time and Moneyworks had the best implementation of the features we required (multi-company, multi-currency, multi-jurisdiction (taxation), project budgets, etc).

REI stateside is challenging enough but add in currency risks, political risks, natural disasters, distance risks, partner risks, language challenges, legal costs higher, tax comolexities, and it truly becomes an aggressive, complicated,  high risk, high cost asset class.

Bert Dohmen's "coming China crisis" and James Rickards "currency wars" will give more insight into this (David stockman and Harry dent are other great contrarians that have some great books out like "the demographic cliff" and "the great deformation" that play into the big picture) But being as China is the second largest country per GDP, i think we would be foolish to not take into account how what they are doing is going to affect everyone else.

But also worry if there will be a fire, a strike, utility price increases, and how to feed the workers.He said the best investment was when my mother started investing in FX (forex). no strike, or fire. its risky but if you do it right very profitable.

Since the forwarding address will be outside the US, and difficulty converting a US dollar check to local currency, he has suggested I deposit the security deposit directly into a US bank - he has provided me bank acct number.

For ex: could you live there for a bit and then turn it into a investment property for 2 years, then move back and make it your primary?

With the low oil prices the norwegian currency is very very cheap. 

Hi Daljit,Yes properties are alot less money to get into and can cash flow better, then you are cash flowing U.S. currency.

Several years back this was a huge part of our business but now that the currency is not as strong for them they have slowed down in buying. 

And is that country experiencing some tightening policy around currency movements?