I don't invest in that area, but I can give you my experience of a new built to rent house in Milton FL.  I

It was pretty difficult for VSM to come up with a number, and he even admitted that he's flying a bit blind, but because of all of this he really did need to come see the house.

I do notice a lot of successful real estate investors drive pretty old cars (not that driving an old car will make you a successful real estate investor).I don't know if I'd ever buy/lease a "dream car" but I would definitely fly to Germany, rent a Mercedes, and go wild on the Autobahn.

In FL I have a lender who gets the 10% second home loans done easily. 

that clause wont fly in most markets title company will still want their cancellation and escrow disbursement form filled out and signed by both parties before they will release.

.#4 There are people who fly in....one great investor from Brazil comes fairly frequently...I've met bidders from CA and WA that fly in. 

I live in FL and do all my biz in Cleveland as the net % is 5 x what it would be in FL. I

I hope you went fly fishing when you drove your cycle down through flying fishing nirvana :)this is a great point you make about health insurance.. 

I'm not trying to rain on anybody's parade, but anyone who follows advice that is that general in nature and tries to do one of these, by advice from a post on a forum, is sure to find themselves discussing the deal with a nasty attorney on the other side of the transaction and in a very formal setting called a court room.I can not tell someone that you can climb into a piper airplane, put the key in the ignition and hit the gas and you will be flying.

I'd always recommend flying out to where you plan to invest to get a feel for the market and to meet your team in person.