He ended up not replying to our calls, texts, emails and basically never returned the money.

If the property appraiser is saying $690k when you paid $530k - they are basically saying "you got a great deal on your property because it is actually worth much more than you paid."  

Basically this is the first time I felt confident enough in a program to take the leap and go for it. 

I've never had any issues in 10 years so I just use the basic ones 

The BRRRR Method is really designed for this - I'd recommend buying the "BRRRR Book" in the BP bookstore and following that strategy - it basically outlines this exact gameplan in the opening chapters

Basically, an okay deal now is better than a great deal in another few years.I live with my family overseas in a relatively unstable part of the world.

You basically don't know until you get the bill.

I have the rental posted on basically every platform including facebook groups. 

I am a firm believer that you have to live there and offset your prop tax's with zero income tax and of course be a local and self manage. then to me its like any other market in the country basically..

Have you tried to understand the basics of rental investing?