Here are a few additional ideas that have worked for me and others in competitive markets like Austin:Off-Market Leads from Contractors: I had a friend who rehabbed a house in North Austin last year.

For my long term rentals I am no longer purchasing in New York State and I am going to be searching out of state in a more landlord friendly state such as Ohio or Pennsylvania.

If they have been paying on time and taking care of the place, there is no need to screen them.If they want their friend or family member to live with them, then you screen that person and decide if you want them living there. 

@Dmitriy Fomichenko not sure if you were aware, but depending on your income and circumstances, you can convert that money into a Roth IRA, tax free.A friend of mine lives in Washington state (no state income tax) and his taxable income is about $50k a year.

I always suggest finding an investor friendly real estate agent as they can be your gateway to all other connections!

I receive emails from them frequently, but I have not had time to really go back and try it again. 

I owner occupy the home, renting a room to a friend at $650/mo, and the lower unit rents for $1850/mo - total rental income of $2500/mo.

An ATX friendly STR realtor that I reccomend is CRIBS Consulting.

You may be able to bypass some of those hurtles based on your country of origin/where you have friends and family but in most cases investing in the U.S. will be way easier and will yield a better ROI. 

To me, PML is a friend of a friend or an Uncle or a co-worker's father.