My wife and I have purchased a small Cape Cod in Worcester ( Tatnuck area on west side )Along with this property we purchased a SF buildable lot adjacent to the house ( paid cash for the lot ).

If I were to purchase properties, it would be closer to the east side of Stone Mnt, not on the west side neighboring Clarkston. 

The wild west is in the $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 range where there are hundreds of variations.

I would suggest you read all of @Jay Hinrichs posts related to out of state investors, mainly from the West Coast, trying to invest in Midwest cash flowing markets.  

@Alexi MeshkoffI'm assuming you're bidding broward, dade or west palm counties?  

Historically, like West Mt.

For example, I know an investor who owns a house in the name West Butler County Disabled Veterans Trust"  The name alone scares off attackers. 

I'm not sure how far west you plan investing but I invest in Lakeland-Tampa.  

As you move west towards Chestnut Hill as you can image the rents increase. 

You have savings, as @Steve West points out you also have a place to stay.