We both love the country and the area. 

Another vote for Gatlinburg its the best in the country if you ask me.

Your part of the country is much micro micro friendly that the Northeast.

Pretty sure I was at community college being a Model UN nerd when this thread was started.... won "best dressed" representing a middle eastern country, while wearing attire I had picked up while stationed in the middle east, and starting WW3 over a ridiculous and unjust fig tariff (I did not win best diplomat).

This is very simple, in which countries you're investing and why?

I am originally from wine country area north of San Francisco and I am fairly new to the real estate world.

@Mike Lynch I'm a newby here at BP so I have very little sage advise from a real estate perspective but I've been reading about the water supply in our country and the concerns related to dwindling supplies.

The problem is we are a bit hesitant because well it's Mexico and we've heard all the horror stories (but honestly I've done some research and found much is overblown), my concern is that it won't sell like we think because others will be worried about safety.Also I think we're just nervous about investing so far away from home and out of the country.

Otherwise, just go back an forth.Not sure it is the same all over the country, but I do know that in many states I have done business, banks will not accept an offer on an REO WITHOUT a copy of a check included with the offer made out to "escrow".

The walmart down the road was the MOST SHOPLIFTED WALLMART IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.