@Saika Maeda If you pay the buyer's agent commission directly, it becomes part of your property's basis (purchase price) rather than an immediate tax-deductible expense.

She wouldn't put her on speaker phone and wouldn't let me speak to her on the phone directly. 

I'm on Airbnb and Vrbo, and also Houfy (direct bookings) but have stayed away from Booking .com because of the horror stories from fellow hosts.

Could you share a little more around which solution you were using (email, direct mail, retargeting etc.?).

In that situation, I personally would not be investing in direct real estate at all.If I wanted exposure to a foreign real estate market, I would invest passively and hire a manager that has years more experience than I could ever hope to gain, and whose job is to supervise and watch everything and make sure that it goes well.Just my $0.02.And whatever you decide to do: good luck.

@Mike Lambert been to Tulum many times, I have family there and going next week to look at land on beach side that is direct to owner contact. 

I specialize in creative financing, title issues, and stopping foreclosures.

I can give you the direct line to the guy I use at a national firm on all of my rentals. 

I have another property I'm getting ready to close on that will be an Airbnb so it's a direction I'm going in as well!

@Edward Suess-HassmanTo make sustainable investments, set clear goals, research markets outside the Bay Area, consider creative financing, learn from others, build a strong team, and use educational resources.