@Alyssa ODell I've worked with numerous investors who've purchased from overseas and a lot of them made good investments.

Hired terrible contractors on numerous occasions. 

You can certainly do what @Brandon Calloway is proposing, I have done it myself numerous times.

With numerous Chicago and us based lenders why in the world would someone seek out a foreign lender with no experience?

He states numerous times about how he saved money fixing something himself rather than going to a contractor to have it done (Duh it's cheaper that way!) 

I've referred him to numerous friends and investors, and so far everyone appreciates his thorough inspections and advice.

So you can follow Jason's recommendation to sell nicer properties and purchase more cheaper properties that provide better cash flow.Of course in the modern 1031 a qualified intermediary is required to facilitate and document the process of you selling and buying.

That has been diminished...thankfully, but it took me saying something time and time again - after me and my family being jarred awake numerous times.  

This is a project that I helped facilitate with my business partner who is the president of the modular company that manufactured and installed this. 

I have heard numerous investors and wholesalers talking about networking with agents as a great avenue for lead generation. - Jonathan