We're moving back to Australia at the end of the year, and aim to buy our first investment property by the end of 2015.

@Fuat BagseverHi Fuat,There are so many high cashflow markets across the US.Maybe look at purchasing another complex to offset your losses on the one you will closing on.I have been down this road with my portfolio in Australia where I owned numerous properties hoping they will appreciate in value.I have decided to not purchase a property anymore unless it is a heavy cash cow.Just my opinion.Thanks and have a great day.

I support 2 teams, NZ and any one that plays against Australia."

From Australia!

He really wants to be hands off, as he is currently on his sailboat in Costa Rica and heading to Australia soon.Any suggestions or strategies would be greatly appreciated.

If I compare it to Australia, where I get app. 4-5% rental return and hope to get 10% cap gain (maybe, if things go downhill and I'm very, very lucky)- ill take the 15% in the bank any day - not relying on capital gain means, for me, freedom from a lot of the economic speculating (gambling) and uncertainty.

We have some property in the UK and Australia which we rent out.

My suggestion is use your area, like "Australia" or "Aussie" as a keyword.

When I have done Lease Options in Australia and New Zealand, I went to a local RE solicitor with US contracts.A delayed sale and purchase agreement and a lease with option along with a repair addendum is a good approach.I will post a repair addendum here in the forms section.See http://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/REISkills/file/repair-addendum-to-tenants-purchase-optionSo I assume you are going to lease with an option from the seller and sub lease for income?

China, Australia and South America.