I have an IT services firm in Dallas, and like you, I live on land outside of town.Recently on the BP blog there was a good article with lots of positive feedback on women investors on BP: Successful Women Real Estate Investors: 3 on 3 Interview Serieshttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/07/12/women-real-estate-investors-interviews/

Also, when you are interviewing the mortgage broker to see if they would be a good fit ask them how many investor Homepath deals they have actually closed with 10% down (To get a yes answer to this you will probably have to call A LOT of different mortgage brokers unless you can find an investor who is already doing them).

He gave a good interview on how the process works.

Now you're stuck looking for someone possibly without in person interviews, etc.

If you do not have fix and flip experience and education stop and get some.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

They and BNS must have the slowest {residential} mortgage underwriting groups I've encountered.As @Paul MacInnis indicated, it does get tricker as you grow and having a good broker - or having interviewed each of the lenders - will help you.  

If you're gonna us a pm interview at least a few before making your decision BEFORE you buy!  

In getting ready to purchase my first buy & hold, I've begun interviewing property managers...well, I've been trying to, anyway. 

I told the lady that we had a strict policy about interviewing potential tenants first and that we would need to run a background check. 

Fill in the foundation below.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.