If you have never done a project, let alone over state lines, then I probably wouldn't recommend it.

Grandpa and Grandma take five acres on the back forty and punch in a well and sewer (when it was cheap to do so), run some water and sewer lines with the old backhoe. 

You can use it as a downpayment on a property over $450k and use leverage tax free.

Everything would hinge on that. 

Quote from @Zach Howard: Quote from @Jonathan Greene: If you are looking at properties in the US only on Zillow, and not seeing them in person (I know you are in Hong Kong), this is just an effort in futility because you can't underwrite single-family or small multifamily deals only online.

You can click on the magnifying glass in the upper corner I will repeat as I do every time.

I've had this line in my profile for like 5 years.

I can also see the ends of the Commuter Rail lines being good too...like Haverhill for instance  The Salem/Beverly area is great and pretty pro-development/housing from what I'm hearing.

Not really sure how to go about financing but we're planning on having a down payment at or slightly above $100,000 and don't want to pay more than $3100ish per month. 

I wanted to provide an update on the status of my situation.