I can 100% guarantee any TK operator in their market that has been doing any volume over the last 10 years has bought the same house more than once on more than a few occasions :)

I have been a software developer, and still dabble with code on occasion.

After thinking about it I realized that there was no other bidder as this had happened to often and bidders are not going to throw away the 2500 deposit that easy .On another occasion my partner was called by the company and was asked if he still wanted a home he was out bid on and he excepted at his bid price and sent the $5000 deposit.

Just remember, you can't take it to the grave with you, so you should take some time to enjoy the fruits of your labor on occasion!

On more than one occasion I had to contact the mother and inform her of the poor hygiene in the apartment.

I'm from Cape Town, South Africa.I've been on the internet a few occasions and I find a lot of real estate investment information based on international real estate.

I have, on occasion, paid half upfront but only to be held in escrow and not by the wholesaler.  

If there is one thing I have learned out there is that there is a LOT of mis-information even from the 'experts' on occasion.

I have not used them personally but have spoke to them on serval occasions and it sounds like a fit.

You didn't say, however, if you were wanting to buy single family homes or multi units.If you choose the latter, the good news is it is much less competitive, so a good realtor could be looking out for what you want in your targeted area, and on those occasions when you're back in town, you can go look at what's available.