I have three properties in AR now, and as of about four months ago, two of them were vacant despite having two-year contracts on the properties.

I am familiar with class A, B, or C properties but not markets.

@Ali HamadeSince your property is ideal for house hacking and generating rental income, targeting an investor-friendly audience is a smart approach.

I have had a long term interest in purchasing an investment property and I'm looking to be smarter about this.

I'm wondering if you can help advise on this situation.My mother currently resides in a property located in Los Angeles County.

Is the process the same as buying property in Canada?

Your property management company can help once you own the property but up until then you need someone good on your side!!! 

Quote from @Sendil Thangavelu: I have a property in Ocala, Florida with well water.

Focus on absentee owners and start with the ones who live the farthest away and only own one property in the area since they have the least use for the property.You can also drive for dollars, looking for anomalies of disrepair and then look them up in the tax records and use a site like Spokeo to do cheap skip tracing.

I've purchased all of my properties while out of state or out of country.