Lastly, one aspect of a brokerage and/or a team that I found most important (for me) is the culture.

As you grow your war chest through REIT's/mutual funds/ETFs, are you then using proceeds from those to invest back into real estate or are you trying to keep a certain portfolio diversity?

I just learned on my own) and they frankly suck up a lot of your time with little to show for it.I stick to attracting agents that are similar to me and the culture I am building.

But more importantly has an out for "conditions and influence of significance to certain cultures and/or religions , and personal needs, requirements and preferences of Buyer." 

Break the cycle of formulaic crap hollywood keeps churning out with "actors" cast based on diversity and social media rules.

Then look for markets within those states that have affordable home prices with good rent, have growing populations, growing jobs and modern/diverse economies and industries.

It's fascinating to see the diversity of responses and that there are equal amounts of perspectives on both sides. 

Costa Rica is very diverse, you have expat community in mountains on the coast in SJO, you have beach communities, etc. and every one of those has its own boxes that need checked.  

If you can house hack you will have the best options, if you cannot live in the home then the options general are not very diverse and will vary based on if it's a 1-unit or multi-unit property.  

Personally, I feel this is a good strategy and will add diversity to any portfolio while adding passive income monthly like you mentioned, all while building equity over time with no mortgage!