The deal becomes far more palatable with a larger spread.I'm not overly concerned with making a killing on this first deal (although obviously it wouldn't hurt), I really am looking at it as an opportunity to get some hands-on experience, and to enhance my ability in assessing repair costs and my knowledge of the local market.

There are other FHA requirements concerning which you should contact your local lender, but determining whether or not a triplex or fourplex meets the self-sufficiency rule is a good place to start as this rule will immediately eliminate many properties from your search.  

Hi Solomon,There is one thing I still can't figure out from your statement concerning your property manager.

:you cannot control the cleaning agents the tenants use.Shouldn't be a concern as long as you first warn them, and have a proper security deposit.

In all my deals I am bidding on now it is the number 1 concern.

View things as stepping stones and not being permanently stuck in a situation you want to get out of.

The foreign currency exchange rate (FX) is always a concern whether you are selling and paying the tax or are selling and structuring a 1031 Exchange. 

Could you please explain the FHA loan and the benefits of it concerning starting invested with a small amount of capital (20k)?

@Harriet Baldwin When I told the tenant my only concern was the locks being changed, she demanded we call the previous landlord.  

@Janie VowlesAs far as I'm concerned they are not tenants until they sign the lease and give you money.