I would encourage you to not limit your search to one zip code. 

Let's get serious about encouraging and spurring one another on to start making moves!!

Or just words of encouragement.

@Perig Vennetier if you are looking to own real estate back home in the US but receive a very consistent amount of cash flow year over year, I'd encourage you to look more into the commercial side of real estate and purchase a NNN leased investment. 

@David de Luna  thanxxx for the encouragement.

I appreciate how this is a massive community of helpful and encouraging people.It dawned me recently that even though I have been intently studying and attempting to get started in real estate, I was not doing enough to make it happen.

I would highly encourage you to be prequalified of course...many loans like this will not allow "sweat equity" but some will.  

It's never too late but I would encourage you to learn all the options before diving in.

@Anthony HendersonI appreciate the link and the encouragement !

The ones I respect are the few who understand the business of real estate from an investor's perspective.If becoming an investor yourself is one of your goals, I would encourage you to find a brokerage that is focused on serving investors, ideally one run by an experienced investor.Your broker can't teach you what they themselves don't know.I do have some suggestions, so connect with me here if you are interested in hearing them.