Now, if you don't have many choices (good balance of your funds in taxable vs qualified accounts like IRAs), then I've done the analysis w/an investor in our syndication and their CPA to show it still makes sense to make the investment based on expected returns.However, since real estate is so tax efficient, strategically speaking if you have choices, ample cash in taxable and qualified plans, you should hold income producing investments inside your IRA that are not so tax efficient like notes that just distribute income in the way of interest.  

Ideally you'd want someone who has some experience with foreign ownership (for your MX condo).Send me a message if you need help formulating any questions to ask them.

Your idea of buying a 4-plex should be possible AND strategic. 

That defines the envelope of prices that your area can actually support.Then you should strategize how to price yourself based on this envelope.Hope that helps.

You want an accountant that can help you strategize and who is responsive when you want to know the tax consequences of the decisions you are making throughout the year.Good luck and let me know if I can be of assistance. 

Got me thinking strategically and long-term and about my goals/wants in life. 

Jaime Sepulveda would be a great resource for you with  Strategic Property Management.

I need to put a strategic plan together to get going.

In a high leveraged scenario, you can do a strategic default and return the property to the bank and retain the money that would have been tied up in the property as equity.    

I would be strategic on location.