Essentially, I don't want to be 100% invested in USD-based investments only to find either hyperinflation or some European-style major weakening of the dollar vis a vis the Chinese renminbi or something.

Chinese investors are buying up properties at very cheap price... mostly foreclosuresWe're still doing our homework.

If you can put 50% down payment, some Chinese banks will lend to you in the 4%'s interest rate for a 5/1 ARM.

As far as disaster areas go the New 3d House Printers coming online are pretty cool for that sort of thing as well. http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/ten-houses-in-24-hours-from-chinese-companys-3d-printer-20140504-zr4mm.html I am similarly impressed with the finished housing.

But to be competitive in this field your are talking about competing with the best of the best at places like Goldman Sachs, who hire MIT, Chinese, and Indian Ph.d's to move billions about making profits consistently off billion dollar transactions.

The Chinese are buying up Detroit like they're kids in a candy store.  

The meetings are “free” but you have to spend $13 on a buffet because the meetings are held in at the back of a Chinese restaurant.

Lot's of drama in this post but I am in the used/scratch and dent camp and believe that everything five years old or less is Chinese Crapola and not worth fixing...there are used appliance stores all over Raleigh and Atlanta, and Craigslist will produce lots of used stuff as well...disclaimer: one thing I am not is a lawyer...

Michaela,A lot of the money from china been pouring in to LA for many years and most are buy and hold and the Chinese buyers will buy with no contingency or inspection period.Joe Gore

Your best bet is to find a Chinese or Middle East Investor (Bahrain perhaps).