Maybe my "spidey sense" was tingling, but I felt like he was trying to get me over there alone because earlier in that conversation when I said I'd quickly come by to drop off the filters, but be of no interruption because I was accessing the basement only, he replied, "I don't mind.

Lenders that offer loans for foreign national buyers have access to financing up to 80% in some instances. 

Depending on credit history and how the property would perform from a rental income standpoint you may have access to up to 85% financing on an investment property 1-4 unit purchase. 

Buildings like that can be stabilized with careful screening, access control and surveillance systems and coordination with community policing.

This approach allows you to access funds as needed, potentially covering the purchase of a slightly distressed property within your price range.

Your agent will have the comps and she might know more about the property than you may know because she has access to the applicable  information or she knows where to get it.  

It sounds more like the applicant purchases the credit report and gives access through the credit agency to the landlords who have to accept it if it is less than 30 days old.

Oh I see @Jay Hinrichs the old stuff seems harder to access not sure sorry not to read your whole question. i have wondered that about the older ones too, they were better more realistic.

I would think about this in terms of A) prices to access the market and B) overall market growth. 

Things like accessibility, entertainment, lifestyle, surrounding road/property conditions make the southern part of the island low on my list.