Well for LA specifically, the first trick is just making sure you know how to run the numbers on rental properties-https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/01/1...You are probably familiar with a lot of it being an agent and having PM experience, but it's especially critical to know all of it if you are looking for properties in LA.

Hi Cassandra,I'm happy to discuss some of the options with you (currently working on multiple 1031 exchanges throughout San Diego County) but this is very critical and you should engage an exchange accomodator before thinking about your 1031 exchange to make sure everything is done properly and you don't end up with an unexpected tax liability. 

I believed that was the purpose of hiring an inspector.I found it odd that the property was criticized for not having egress windows in an upstairs bedroom.

Warsaw is indeed dynamic now, but there are some critical differences (vs the US) with regard to property types, financing terms, etc.Feel free to hit a DM.

Since I remotely self-manage, my realtors are also critical to buying properties and also helping with tenant turnovers.

Their reputation is critical, and I can't speak for anyone else, but I would never do anything to jeopardize that with my clients.  

Tenant placement is a critical piece to success in brick-and-mortar real estate investing. 

@Adam Guskythe vast majority of realtors are not investors, and will not do the things you listed; they are not going to be your personal shopper for investment properties thousands of miles away, they aren't going to estimate rehabs for you, and they're not going to take responsibility for transactions going well or going poorly, or something being a good deal or not being a good deal.i'm not saying this to criticize them - these things just aren't things that they do.that's why i'm saying to start where you can invest in person, even if that's a couple hours away. 

The critical piece to the equation here is where do you know someone? 

I have my own opinions on the subject but I don't want to color the discussion so I'll wait to chime in after we (hopefully) get a critical mass of postings.