Having said that - I'm a green girl and just have to live where green things grow all year. 

My experience has been that the borrow needs to find a financial institution in their home country with whom they have a relationship, if the investor does not have a green card. 

Hi @karen Margrave nice to meet u, in fact Malaysia market is still green than other SEA country, im focusing in project which is under-construction, mostly is services apartment(mixed-development) nearly town(Kuala Lumpur), for invest purpose here is a good place and also good pricing for looking oversea property.Beside buy& sell profit in term of rental income is quite considerable.Wish to hear  from you more.RegardsKenji chai 

As I am starting with a clean slate, how would you all attack my situation if you were in my shoes? 

This step ensures that the title work has been done and both the borrower and you have clean title.6) Recording of the deed.If the funds are being loaned for construction, I would lend the money in draws, upon completion of phases.

One of my wife's uncles was in charge of one of the properties which is zoned for commercial/residential, it is a 1708 Sqf office space/small warehouse on .36 acre lot.Which with some research it can be split into 2 lots.He let the property go to the dump, needs a new metal roof, and gutted, replace plumbing/bathroom, replace electrical etc...Now my wife’s Aunt is in charge of the estate and she was the one who approached me.She said they will "sell" me the property for $30K (estimates from Real estate agent say property is worth $43-$53K in current condition) Which then I could clean the property up and try to resell with the improvements.Now if I did replace the roof make the inside look nice and clean the overgrown landscaping I was told (real estate agent) it could get about $60K, but there are back taxes and liens on the property as well.Plus closing cost for when I sell it, I have run the numbers and it seems that I would MAYBE make $3000-$9000 conservatively.But I am real concerned over the fact that it is used as an office/commercial, and wouldn't this limit buyers?

From what I have heard and it makes sense if you invest in an area that is being cleaned up people will move there for cheap housing, hipster types will build businesses and it will be good as long as you stay in that area and have some plan for keeping crime out.

Save some cash right there as long as the title comes back clean.

The only thing I have found out is that the bank sold the mortgage to "Green Tree".

I want to provide the community with nice, clean rentals that add value to the community.