Try this: Get with a Realtor and get them to let you scan the MLS with them.

I also come from a project management background, so was well aware of the amazing feats that can be accomplished with a competent team.When it was time to invest, I scanned all markets I had any sort of access to, evaluated which other ones I could enter with reasonable safety by utilizing unfamiliar teams on the ground, then crossed that over with potential returns.I'm a pure cashflow investor, never like to speculate, so reliable monthly cashflow was criteria no. 1, followed closely by no. 2 - ease of management and low maintenance, then finally no. 3 - Affordability (which equals hedge and diversity), and last but not least, no. 4 - would I like to visit once or twice a year, at worst case, if things require my hands-on attendance.A combination of the four pointed at Japan, which is where I'm primarily invested (with smaller portions of our family portfolio in the US, Europe and Australia), although I'm only living there half the year at this point, thanks to good team utilization which means I don't need to go there unless I want to - this may change now that the yen's down and our son's nearing primary school age - which is the whole point of renting where you live and investing where the money and the environment works for you - to retain the flexibility and lifestyle benefits of being able to work and live anywhere we want at any given time.This is, of course, a long process of rationalization and calculation summarized in a nutshell - if I haven't bored you to death yet, and you want to hear more about the hows and whys of investing overseas, feel free to contact me. :)Best of luck in your chosen path, you seem to be considering all the right factors before embarking on it - I'm sure you'll enjoy the ride.

@Ryan S. Can

They lure you in with a free seminar, then scan the room for those that have the money to go to the next level. 

i have experience in rehab and construction and i own several units that i self manage. i also have full time job where i do shift work 12 hours a day on a texas swing shift schedule. i can work as many hours as i want basically. but it takes toll on my body. i make a living doing what I'm doing and i have insurance and the 401(k)( not much but something). i want to save enough cash as a cushion and quit my job and work with him. the cushion number is debt free except house and rentals. it will take about 6 months. there is no rush. what are some things i should be thinking about and set in place before i quit my job?

Large markets like apartments.com have nothing buy Matterport scans on their models.Nice scans and very nice units.

. :) Any body have any good names or contacts?

Yeah when I went to click on that www.fcfsloans.com address, here at work, my company's internet scanning immediately threw up a warning stating not to proceed to that website!

You get a double-whammy hit because you may have overpaid for that space in the first place, if you gave the seller credit for this "bonus" space in your offer price.As I'm scanning the MLS for deals, we always pull up garage conversions because the standout as underpriced for the neighborhood.

Caleb,My opinion is that some people have the ability to easily start a conversation with someone over the phone and have a (silver tongue) tact to but them at ease to allow for an open discussion.Others (myself) have the ability through body language, documentation, and resources (buyers) to illustrate to someone how I can help them and put them at ease for an open discussion.So you should know if you are best negotiating over the phone or by meeting in person with someone who needs you help and sell your plan to solve their problem through a painful time.