Originally posted by J Scott:If you ever showed up to the airport without your ID (it's happened to me twice),Good grief, if you attempt to board a plane with no ID I hope you get searched.

After the second plane, I told my wife- we are at war!

I can buy a plane ticket anywhere or to any event I want to go see.

It is just harder to verify if I have to get on a plane to see my property vs get in my car.No matter what anybody says, the BA is an "end goal" market. 

While I'm sure you can make money if you really learn the area and buy right, I'm just as sure you can lose big time if you buy in the wrong area.If you want to buy in Detroit, or anywhere else in the US, get on a plane and go have a look in person.

No empires, planes, large employee staffs, etc.

I lived in Dallas texas at the time but got on a plane and flew 8 hours to take a look.

If not, then get in writing when they are leaving, ask to see a copy of the plane ticket and hold them to that.  

I've got a walkout basement with crawlspace that I'm planing for an accessory dwelling unit, but it needs some digging.

For example, if you don't have any ties or connections to the other cities you mentioned and you would have to get on a plane to visit them to learn more then I would not do that for a 2 or 3 family.