If you do go, it's because you have a sick relative somewhere who needs to see you before they go on to glory -- the best kind of story for that is an expensive one, like a blind half-brother with a rare blood disease who is only free of constant pain in this one remote high-altitude institute in the Cascades...something so outlandish no one would make it up that at the same time implicitly explains why you need the rent checks to be on time.

What kind of place are you looking to buy?

I'm just about 90 minutes south of you and visit family in Knoxville often.

It would have to be some kind of sellers to take that kind of offer from you.

Research a market Target one market and 3-4 sub markets Visit the marketMeet with all professionals involved including: PM's, Brokers, Attorney if required, fellow investors in local BP or REIA meet up. 

I guess that's the kind of market we are in right now.

I kind of figured that was the case, but good to hear from someone with experience!

Without knowing the specifics of the properties you are offering on it is hard to make any judgments about your agent and them feeding you any kind of BS or not. 

You need to talk to some kind of international law professional. 

Most of which are repeat family visits year after year.