Location, location, location.I'm in a refinery town, and my business plan would not work in any other town in a 90 mile radius. 

I work full time for the Postal Service, so I am very familiar with the town and know pretty much where all the vacant & "for rent" houses are.

We have no idea when they will be back in town, but could also wait until then and try to speak about it in person...How would you guys handle it?  

I met him - he seemed like a good guy - I end up leasing to him.He has a good reference from the person I'm going to partner with on property management and since I was moving out of town agreed to lease to him, he's older military - so despite the fact I've been screwed over by 3 other military families years before I go against my better judgement and decide to rent to him. 

has anyone had an agent attend a live auction on their behalf while they are out of town?

If you are ever in town let me know.

My father owns 3 town house units in Hazel Crest, IL and he has had pretty bad tenants and he constantly is fixing something they broke by himself.

Temperature is cooler in the summer than sw FL.Fort Myers / Naples is less expensive, more retirees, small town vibe, hot and humid in the summer.Both areas are great for vacation rentals.

I'm a real estate investor in Hudson County, NJ (as difficult as that may be right now) and am starting to look at properties in towns that I'm less familiar with in order to find cash-flowing deals.

It' s located centrally in town near the school and church.