Yes, a very big learning curve.Your research should include online efforts to determine if owner(s) are, in fact, deceased which can be determined by social security death index. 

I am planning to maximize and utilize this time to educate myself, understand the market trends in terms of incline/decline of housing volatility (mortgage perspective), job movements, and social/economic/political factor that influences in the RE market.

Not only that but you will develop important social skills.- Go for a financial degree, you can even focus on real estate in certain majors, easy enough to research on university websites.

Meanwhile here are a few tips:Here is a Guide to Getting the Most Out of BiggerPockets: (They are also above in the forum, but are a great way to get started) http://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/biggerpockets-com-tutorial/How to Effectively Use the BiggerPockets Real Estate Social Network: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/effectively-using-the-biggerpockets-real-estate-social-network-to-build-your-business/Here is a great feature to BiggerPockets: The keyword alert system:http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/12/19/keyword-alert-system/I look forward to reading your success stories in the future!

Just thought the article seems to home in on Canadian RE investors....http://www.moneysense.ca/property/are-you-really-cut-out-to-be-a-landlord

I have done deals with Brits and Canadians who don't have green cards and their banks home lent the money.  

Meanwhile here are a few tips:Here is a Guide to Getting the Most Out of BiggerPockets: (They are also above the forum, but are a great way to get started) http://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/biggerpockets-com-tutorial/How to Effectively Use the BiggerPockets Real Estate Social Network: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/effectively-using-the-biggerpockets-real-estate-social-network-to-build-your-business/Here is the a great feature to BiggerPockets: The keyword alert system:http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/12/19/keyword-alert-system/I look forward to reading your success stories in Jacksonville, FL in the future!

Meanwhile here are a few tips:Here is a Guide to Getting the Most Out of BiggerPockets: (They are also above the forum, but are a great way to get started) http://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/biggerpockets-com-tutorial/How to Effectively Use the BiggerPockets Real Estate Social Network: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/effectively-using-the-biggerpockets-real-estate-social-network-to-build-your-business/Here is the a great feature to BiggerPockets: The keyword alert system:http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/12/19/keyword-alert-system/I look forward to reading your success stories in Columbus, OH in the future!

Meanwhile here are a few tips:Here is a Guide to Getting the Most Out of BiggerPockets: (They are also above the forum, but are a great way to get started) http://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/biggerpockets-com-tutorial/How to Effectively Use the BiggerPockets Real Estate Social Network: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/effectively-using-the-biggerpockets-real-estate-social-network-to-build-your-business/Here is the a great feature to BiggerPockets: The keyword alert system:http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/12/19/keyword-alert-system/I look forward to reading your success stories in Charleston, SC in the near future!

Meanwhile here are a few tips:Here is a Guide to Getting the Most Out of BiggerPockets: (They are also above the forum, but are a great way to get started) http://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/biggerpockets-com-tutorial/How to Effectively Use the BiggerPockets Real Estate Social Network: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/effectively-using-the-biggerpockets-real-estate-social-network-to-build-your-business/Here is the a great feature to BiggerPockets: The keyword alert system:http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/12/19/keyword-alert-system/I look forward to reading your success stories in the future!