With only $12,000, that would not get you any MF in Memphis where you would not need the National Guard to escort you in and out. :) Pay close attention to the neighborhood when evaluating Memphis MF.

National, State, Metro Area, County, City, and NeighborhoodTime Period?

Essex county has some of the wealthiest neighborhoods and poorest neighborhoods in the nation so there's something for every investor.  

I am developing out retail out parcels for national tenants and small national retail strip centers such as 3 to 4 units.

Does the SEC Rule 506 Regulation D have any special rules relating foreign national investors?

Assuming SFR then it will generally be 1) conventional loan from local/regional/national bank 2) private money lender, typical family and friends 3) hard money lender

@Melanie Daigle there is a good website called keeping current matters that will give you all the updates on a national and state level.

It's one of the towns that's frequently featured on national news programs when storms impact the northeast.Perhaps things are different in Florida, but I have every reason to trust Tim as he's been selling flood insurance for a very long time.Full disclosure - I have no relationship with Murphy Carty Insurance other than as a customer for my home, auto, business and builder's risk policies. 

I am a project engineer working for a national developer.  

I don't know what nationality you are, but if you're American (most BP-ers are), then I would strongly encourage you to consider deploying capital in the US before doing so in Japan.For markets - I think you hit the big ones.