I think the contacts/experience she would get would be more helpful in building an investment portfolio than the typical retail real estate sales environment.  

I also plan to do some light farming on it-a fish pond, raise some cattles, plant some fruit trees and vines.Option 1. 

It all depends on what's the macro-economic environment around that area.

The world also needs doctors and engineers and scientists and lawyers all which get paid a lot better and offer far more stimulating work environments.

I got the feeling that BiggerPockets is a safe and encouraging environment for people who are involved in real estate investing from the newbie like myself to the professional investor.

At a high level somebody with a solid job record and credit history with 5 animals (two dogs, two large fish tanks, one lizard) or someone who is very professional and thorough but has had a recent divorce and bankruptcy (would also bring a dog, and two college age working children),  but since bankruptcy appears to have a solid rental history (and mentioned prepaying early)...Thank you!!!

On the other hand that this environment is changing so much you have to be careful.

However, my initial uneducated assumption is that because of the older age of the real estate in Great Falls and the tough weather environment, extensive repairs and upkeep expenses would greatly cut into cash flows.Do you find this to be true in your Great Falls investments and if so, how do you counteract or avoid those expenses?

My main mission for this trip was to scout out the environment, Realtors,  property management firms etc.

If you feel like they should mostly get involved to help "protect" people and things -- the environment, the children, the elderly, veterans, small business, etc. then you are mostly liberal.