So, we require a nonrefundable Retainer Fee for 90 days of our time to find a rental property.

It might be just me... but I don't think long term rental might be the move here. 

A couple of things I like to tell my newbies-Owning a short-term rental property can offer significant financial benefits.

Quote from @Zach Howard: Quote from @Jonathan Greene: If you are looking at properties in the US only on Zillow, and not seeing them in person (I know you are in Hong Kong), this is just an effort in futility because you can't underwrite single-family or small multifamily deals only online.

Start by researching different types of properties, such as residential, commercial, or rental investments, to determine which aligns best with your goals.Building a strong network is also crucial.

The S8 program was never designed to put S8 tenants in Class A rentals!

Great to see you getting into the Southeast rental market.Wishing you the best of luck.

@Brittany MyrickIf I were getting started in real estate investing in New England, I’d focus on researching local market trends, especially job growth, rental demand, and the broader economic outlook.

For rentals, would a single floor or two floors makes sense? 

This may be an opportunity to remove the tenant, refresh the rental, and increase rent significantly with a new tenant you've selected and trained.4.