I think a critical element that I'm currently knee deep in trying to figure out for myself is making that key connection that can be your window into the process first hand, and offering a piece of the deal in exchange for that one on one support is a fantastic idea.

The US dollar is at risk and the element of cash reserves essentially losing value should be beginning to factor into long term investment strategies.

They will let you know what you are low on, if the house got damaged, and being one of the key elements for you getting 5 Star reviews (you must always have the place be clean top to bottom).

As a landlord for over 22 years and one who pays attention to the human element of property management, I would not be so quick to follow the advice of previous posters. 

@DanielFor what it's worth, there was an environmental problem in neighborhood where 2 of my rentals are (old WWII munitions were found buried).

-----------------------------------------------------------Ni Hao.China offers more investment opportunities but has too many environmental issues.The housing crash here certainly brought about huge opportunities for investors not just from US but also from all over the world.http://trends.truliablog.com/vis/global-pursuits/The best time to get in was 2010 and 1011.

You are quite right that RE can be a bad investment if someone doesn't know all the elements involved and have a plan in place.

I tend to agree with him given that most real estate activities carry a huge time element that is completely ignored from most yield analysis.

Their is a big difference between making 2K and 5K as long as the risk element is under control.

In either case, rather than you going in, you could/should engage a local draughtsman to produce a set of "real" drawings ... these would show structural elements, and maybe even systems, etc.