My recommendation would be to engage an investment property focused realtor (not a general residential realtor) and let that person guide you through the process from pre-qualification to market/property valuation and selection. 

What I was getting at is that even investing "out of state", let alone out of the country, is more difficult when you don't have any personal connections and even more difficult with your first property.

How do y'all find your clients in need of this type of funding?

Be sure to have funds you can tap in case of emergency or inevitable market dips. - Most Fortune 5000 (and others) companies do this.

The first mortgage will provide a payoff to the sheriff/court and the funds from the auction go to them.

For example, at the start, do you confirm if all persons in the house are aware of your presence, and do you ask if it is OK for you to open bedroom, bathroom and closet doors?

I personally haven't done this but I have helped clients do it in the past.Hit me up if you're interested!

The best part is there is no ownership seasoning period with one of these lenders and they don't report to personal credit.

I personally really like the suburbs, and that's where I have most of my rental properties. 

.• I purchased a small 1B/1Ba condominium in a high rise building in 2004 for personal use.• In 2010, I moved out and decided to put in in service as a rental unit.• I was able to keep it well occupied and leased throughout 2024.• I sold the condo unit in late 2024 for a nominal profit.That brings us to today.