I'm a Graphic Designer from Sydney, Australia living in Brooklyn, NY.

I've lived in Mexico City, Berlin, London, Melbourne (Australia), Taichung, Shenzhen.Worked for real estate developers and consultancies in Canada, Australia and the UK. 

When we teach new investors the red flags high risk tenants exhibit it sounds exactly like your story. 

There is quite a lot of learning and 'legwork' to do to get comfortable in a region, but it is most certainly do-able from Australia!

@Alex Deacon I am from Australia as well.

But I’m not sure I know what you mean about the initial cash flow... the deal doesn’t exhibit strong cash flow in the beginning based on the way I‘d structure the lending. 

The smartest investors I know are looking for just enough cash flow to be able to survive an interruption in rents, while picking areas that exhibit the best indicators of appreciation.I understand that our appreciation rates here in San Antonio are not sustainable over a very long period of time.

The key is to have all financing (HML and your carryout) lined up before you start making offers.Whitney I suppose another major concern is that I live in Australia and that my options may be limited?

We live in Queensland, Australia so we have made sure to get an amazing property manager.

But Australia is just as shut down as us.