I think this is all based on preference.

LOL.There’s a WORSE WAY and a BEST WAY to try to obtain items 1-4 aboveBEST WAY: College or Professional Association courses in real estate (real estate license course as a base) and work experience for a REIT or other professional real estate organization and capital saved or equity raised from private parties with a MODERATE amount of debt leverage and or utilizing creative financing with low interest rate debt (may be highly leverage)WORSE WAY; Any guru courses or mentorship’s combine with high interest debt. 

Duplex is a great first step into the REI market if you can buy one that you can put in a little TLC/renovations, you can quickly refinance in as little as 6 months and buy another property keeping it as a rental.Duplex allows you to use the other "Unit" rents to qualify for the loan or higher loan amount.Rent is a waste of money when you look at an amortization schedule and payoff based on a 5 year model your rental has (ZERO) equity and a home has money you can pull out.

However, the Orlando market is really struggling with saturation currently (all it really has to offer is Disney - I like markets where there are multiple draws). 

The truth is, about 99.5% of lenders who offer conventional mortgages in the US won't lend to someone who isn't based in the US, even if that person is a US citizen living abroad or works for a US company.

Just not sure whether (and what if so) there are any impacts to the mortgage/insurance company I need to be aware of, etc....Allocation is generally done based on sf. 

I recommend looking into areas near economic bases - close to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio State Campus, New Albany, etc.

Hi everyone, I am a long term investor based out of the Inland Empire.

Do I need a Broker still and will I be subjected to state rules and laws, regs, REC, etc, or can I just simply draw up a contract with terms, agreements, etc?

I am based in Charlottesville VA and even though I make excellent cash flow on my STRs, that cash flow has always been dwarfed by my appreciation.