I have a local map book (Thomas Brothers/Rand McNally have ones for most major metro areas that often print subdivision names on the map) and I mark it up with “good, bad, ok†and other notations.

Banks, and mainly European banks, have large exposure to emerging market debt of all types through both sovereign, corporate and individual loans.

USA is exceptional in that you can make your entire living without ever leaving USA, different from Canada and European countries.

Changes in the European legislation, consequent housing crisis, and demographic challenges allowed real estate crowdfunding to grow even further.

I think buying in volatile markets in 2019 (read: anything on the west coast + most major cities nationwide) just means you're paying someone else's appreciation check while helping them get out at the right time before things get softer.

The sent out this middle aged eastern European dude that hand dug 10 or 12 post holes under my house and the re supported everything with steel instead of wood beams as were there originally.

Most major university cities are great places to invest but it's a niche business. 

@Alan HowardWelcome to Bigger Pockets.There are meet ups in most major parts of michigan; depending on where you live;  you may be able to attend these real estate networking events. 

@Curtis Chen I get what you are saying for SFR, and it's also almost impossible to cash flow on an SFR in most major markets.

I'm going to make a weightlifting reference here, but I think it applies.If you look at countries who dominate the sport of Olympic weightlifting today, you'll see a handful of Asian and European countries.