Get the borrowers first and last name, and last four digits of their social.

The currency exchange rots right now. 

Currency conversion dynamics can be a huge factor in foreign investment, one I had largely overlooked.Yes, that exchange rate does takes a big bite, but that's possibly where owner financing could be beneficial.

Based on what I can see it's all digitized but only accessed at the courthouse.Once you find records start to record the information that Rick H. listed for you.

Not sure what platforms you are looking at @Richard Dunlop- The crowdfunding platforms I am using all offer double digit returns after expenses on most of the investments and for sums as small as 5k.

For some one who is just starting, which type of investment do you recommend, real estate or digital business?

You have to find out what the sellers currency is in negotiations to make the deal work for them.If it is not something you are willing to do maybe propose a different scenario the seller hasn't thought of or considered.

People were yelling and screaming how overvalued the stock was relative to its triple digits P/E.

However, there are many other things to consider when taking money into a new country.I personally have considered most of the bigger cities in europe and have found that the main thing to consider is the currency of the target area versus where you are.As an example, norways economy is largely driven by oil and with todays oilprices the currency here is very weak.

I'm just curious about such matters in our (not so) new digital age.