FHA does have its hurdles since FHA appraisals evaluate the property to HUD's health and safety standards.

One day an ambulance was called and they couldn't get the patient to the ambulance because our cars were blocking the walkway.

I think it is part personality, part desire and part technical know-how.One very experienced investor told me his story of acquiring properties early in his career without much of a safety net and losing all 8 his first go around.

I have been advised by several people that setting up an LLC would be a good idea as a "safety net".

Get one of those in the bag and then you have a safety net to fall back on or you can use it to get a full-time job right away and at age 19-20 you can start saving a TON of money while your living expenses are still fairly low.

Mistakes are made EVERY DAY by real estate investors no matter where they live or where they buy and usually it has a lot more to do with patience and understanding and less to do with market or length of time as an investor (although new investors tend to be be less patient).  

Finally, I could also be opened to invest in other areas with good turnkey operations.Thanks for sharing your experiences.Alejandro Hi Alejandro,I once invested in US property from afar and know of many fellow Australians that still do so.I always stress to be patient and conduct more due diligence on the people you are looking at doing business with over the actual stats and demographics of a particular area.Also, please feel free to look into some states in the Midwest.

It will be a safety net/emergency fund. 2.

I'm glad I was patient since this first property allowed me to learn the ropes as a new landlord in terms of both rehabbing and tenant management. 

So, unless the house buyer is young and patient (if those things are compatible), other avenue ought to be considered.I take it that no probate has been opened to date.