There are also some tax advantages to self-managing. 

Your best advice would come, for a Tax Advisor NOT a Tax Preparer (CPA).

BUT...if you're American and can still get loans in the US (the silver lining of having to still file US income taxes while living abroad), then why not use leverage?   

I will give you my numbers since we are 3 years into Velocity Banking.Home was purchased at $410k.Interest rate: 3.125%30 year termMortgage payment is around $1950 (includes insurance and property tax)HELOC: 8.25% Variable rate - current rateCredit Limit: $97kLet's say I made $10k a month and our expenses were $6k each month including the mortgage.

I also want to learn about purchasing properties with tax liens / bankruptcies / foreclosures.1.

We have a wide range of investors and RE professionals join us.

AssetsAsk yourself: Do I want cash that depreciates with inflation and taxes, or do I want to build wealth?

I'd rather stay out of the way and let professionals do their thing.  

My duplex - built 1989, 2,060 sf, 2 bed/bath, 1 year old roof, value if I subdivide (county already approved) and sell each separately $150k each ($300k total)Investor duplex - built 1995, 2,300 sf, 2 bed/bath, 5 year old roof, value around $310kThe investors initial request was for an equal trade and they would pay realtor fees, which I replied wouldn't be equal due to buying/selling costs (recording fees, title insurance, closing fee, survey, inspections, loan fees, 1031 fees, accountant fees, repairs), taxes would increase due to new sale price, I'd trade a 3.75% mortgage for a higher one, and I'm on the 10th year of a 30 year loan so resetting that to a new loan would restart amortization and pay more towards interest.

An experienced property manager should minimize vacancy, increase income, and have connections with contractors and other professionals to manage your property well to maximize your return on investment.To Your Success!