If you're going the DIY route for OOS investing (vs turnkey) then you're spot on - the people you choose to work with will be the most important, and most difficult, aspect of your plan.

Foreclosed property has very low price and I learned a lot about them and now cooperating with the seller for selling them, financing the flipping, finding investors and joint venture in setting up a food court spot.

While you're in each unit, take note if you spot any violations to the rental agreement.Good luck!

I think that what you are trying to do is spot on, minimizing (or negating) your housing expense in order to bolster your saving and investing power.

Higher cash flow areas or "safer" spots with better school districts and the like?

With the money you can pull out of your house coupled with what your gf's dad has offered, you're in a good spot financially for your first deal and won't have to go looking for funding right off the bat... which is nice. 

@Bryce Stclair is spot on about the meetup its at leaf chronicle every third thursday, i went last week and was very hppy with the networking and the speaker! 

@Brian Eastman gave a spot on answer, from my perspective as a account holder side of things. 

Well, because as the mourners gathered at the burial spot, another shooting broke out in the cemetery, leaving one more man dead and another in critical condition.

As for the Australian market, your thoughts are spot on and I love the way you say "gambling on appreciation"!