I told one of his compadres who wanted to jump on a plane to Springfield Ohio to bring his expert friend to my office if he was interested in partnering with me to purchase 50 homes in the Springfield Ohio area.

If you don't think see the validity in the comparison, and you accept the fact that anyone can learn enough about REI through casual resources, and that the limited success gained of those casual resources is fine and acceptable, and the idea of looking beyond the simple and striving for better rather than accepting limits, then go ahead and change the surgeon to (choose any of the above) the:1 - Engineer that designed the structure of the building you work in, 2 - Person cutting your hair,3 - Accountant that does you taxes,4 - Air Traffic Controller that keeps planes from crashing,5 - The Pilot the flies those planes,6 - The Captain that sails the cruise ships,7 - Electrician that wired your house,8 - The plumber that plumbed your house,9 - Pharmacist that dispenses your meds10 - Software Engineer that designed the software you use,11 - ...I'm sure others can add to this list. 

When I calculate my expenses prior to purchase, I also plan in one plane ticket a year to get me there to inspect the property.  

You need to get on a plane, look people in the eye, and walk the property with them. 

@Ashley Keeler Also heard that they are planing to limit more than one STR within 300 linear feet, what is your thought on that'?

Rates will be a bit higher, a bit more on the points but should be doable because you are not US residents.As non-resident foreign nationals, it is always a challenge as the banks want to have recourse to more then just the property if things don't go as planed but aren't prepared to chase someone across 'a' border.As @Omar Khan suggests, assuming the purchasing group / you have the balance sheet, experience, etc to do this deal, it may be worth finding an 'American' front person who is willing to put in  / gets some equity.

I wouldnt hop in the seat of the plane you are flying.

I can always hop on the first plane to USA and say ciao.

I would highly recommend you get on a plane if it is not a city or neighborhood that you are familiar with.

No not planing to be a slumlord, I don’t think the current owner is though.