Personally, If you don't have experience with real estate, in general, I don't think you should try to do deals in another country.  

A good key would be knowing how you could do realty in different countries or networking with different RE agents/brokers from different parts of the globe and establishing 1 big plan to associate yourself with different countries.

There are actually a number of strong rental markets in that area of the country.

Ask the property management company if you can speak to 3 of their clients who are out of state/country investors.

Just search there are plenty of CPA recommendation on this site all across the country, however if prefer CPA local in your area then you may ask local investors here on BP.

The BEST way to visit multiple countries at the same time.

DOWNSIDE no guaranteed/free leads, I'm completely new to the COUNTRY so my circles of influence are non existent.C) Very well respected small boutique brokerage.

Truth be told, I think the 2008+ melt down has worked a sea change in the psyche of this country regarding home ownership no longer being the Holy Grail.  

Our country does not prosper from handouts, it succeeds by working hard and achieving goals.

I think that summer demand with people from Phx. coming up to the high country to get out of the heat would drive an airbnb model better for you than a year round rental.Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.Joel