If, for example, I could get hard money to purchase/repair and pay off in a year, I'm confident I could do so without loss, but only if the payments could accrue in the background, collecting interest, without being paid until the house sells.

Pull standard crisis and background report.2 Take care of maintenance on routine basis3 Check with prior landlordHave printed acceptance guidelines to avoid fair housing complaintsBob CollettRemax Trinity

@Jennifer Solesky for background, I am a managing broker.

Here's some background that might be helpful: My mom died last year unexpectedly.

What I would suggest alternatively is putting a clause in the lease that anyone above the age of 18 that's going to be living in the unit for more than 7 days has to be approved by the landlord and pass credit/background/income check etc. 

In conducting a background check, I learn the applicant's current neighbors hate him, he's on a first name basis with the local police or he has a variety of other social/criminal issues chasing him.4.

I'm sure conversation about investing in the US will probably be dominant due to the fact that it's not easy to purchase in Japan with financing.

I would say many owners getting tougher on background checks, so when they learn their new credit score, they understand they can't qualify at the new place. 

Here is my background before joining for reference. 

But, with your background in commercial real estate, you've got a head start.