If they are looking for a pipe dream I simply work with my clients in the U.S. who do not have to overcome all of those hurdles to complete a successful transaction.Your deal size matters as well.

@Robert Gravelle really is no right or wrong -depends on your comfort level living far from your property and being passive while you leave it to a manager (many dream of this!).  

If you spend the next rest of your life playing it safe, you may still fail, but you most likely won't reach lofty dreams. 

Do your homework BEFORE you lose money.I almost did, when we explored purchasing a condo in a very well visited European summer vacation destination in the Mediterranean Sea, Mallorca Island (completely a dream by the way).

Making money with money at the end of the day and striving towards the dream of financial freedom.  

I do not work right now and spend about 12 hours a day, 7 days per week, on learning about real estate investing with a current dream of being able to walk again someday, work,  and to contribute to my family again.I do not know why this happened but I will continue on. 

REI was one of them but due to financial issues I had to postpone my dreams of investing in real estate, fast foward to now Im a local CDL truck driver and in a position where I can start planning again for the future to finally become a RE Investor.

Sorry to hear of the troubles but thanks for putting the reality into the dream! 

I wanted to know what equations/metrics are a MUST HAVE when looking at a possible deal - I'm having a hard time trying to pin down which hold the most weight and make the largest impact in the rental world!

Dreamers dream, they are not capable of taking action.