If you have time, I'd suggest you travel through Southern Spain and then Southern Italy and then you tell us if it's similar.

Since this is my first project, I’m very open to any advice or suggestions—especially regarding potential obstacles I might not have considered.

I'm curious as to whether others have walked this mile and whether you have any suggestions on how I can accomplish this. 

Hi Steve,Welcome to BP.There are several Meetups for Real Estate investors in Albuquerque.I suggest you go to Meetup.com and search.

I have done it multiple times and always suggest it as the best way to start.

Your situation is a little more complex than most people and I highly suggest you consult an attorney. 

Most properties are remotely managed by owners/PMs and what was suggested would be an impossible and unrealistic standard to set - much less enforce. 

I'd suggest not paying anyone for mentorship.

I suggest using a service like Mayistay.

I suggest you enter private money goldmine in search botton at top right of the screen and read the previous posts....here is one that gives good perspective as well as a link to legitimate private lenders.http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/1488...