A little about me for context: I live in a very expensive market in Rye,NY. 

You can also do a live in flip where you use the equity to sell and reinvest down the road.

Buyers don't look for financing and its foreign so they don't jump on a forsale listing on zillow.I've had the best (only) luck with zillow rental adds,   starting with the pitch;  rent to own, live in a great home while you pay off owning it. 

I actually live Pinellas County.  

We do live an hour away from these properties and have W2 jobs.

David,Yes, investing out of state can be a wise choice especially if you live in a State like CA, NY, NJ, CT where home prices are over priced and taxes are brutally high.

Yes, at first it is hard to find renters but because of my patience, trust, perseverance and dedication, I am now living my best life and living financially free. 

My client's living room is completely unbalanced and odd looking because this wasn't done, which I had to hide with some fancy drapery "magic" that was expensive.

Not only does it have excellent potential as a house hack, but it also offers significant upside for a live-in flip.

He's lived in Japan a few years as well (Fukuoka, I believe).