The laws mostly protect me the lender and I have always gotten paid even if there are occasional borrower problems.

Alternatively, your GC can keep you posted on progress, but having a local project manager or even a trusted friend to occasionally drop by can provide extra peace of mind.Hope this helps, and good luck with your rehab project!

. :) I learn a lot more from my mistakes than what I (very occasionally) get right on the first pass.

I look at mine as investments but I do have one in particular I do use occasionally for personal use. 

There are occasional properties in the rural areas around here that I can get 95% LTV on, those areas don't appreciate as quickly but do have decent rental rates.

My purpose behind my decision to pursue REI is to gain financial freedom for wife and I, my future family as well as have the ability to make sure my parents are well taken care of once they reach the retirement age.If I had to label myself I’d want to be known as an open minded rental investor for all long term, mid term and short term investing, with the occasional flip for quicker capitol to put back into another rental.

Build a reliable team on the ground, plan occasional visits, and trust your general contractor to handle the day-to-day.

A way around the whole issue is something we occasionally consider.  

i only see suitably distressed properties hit the MLS very occasionally. 

Most BP members in our region are familiar with the West Sacramento meetup, and there was one in Folsom meeting at Out of Bounds occasionally, but I haven't seen posts for that one lately.