We prefer to make the investment relatively close i.e. 2-3 hours flight max.We want to start small as this would be our first but start at a location where we can then buy more and bigger investments (like an apartment complex) once we have a local team and understand the micro-markets and details. have been considering buying something from roofstock.com to begin with. 

Problem is, 10% down doesn't pay off our home equity loan.I tracked the buyer down and called him, and we sort of agree in principle on a deal, but the details are still fuzzy.

Also, video calls and plain videos are effective.

I just watched the video you posted on Youtube regarding door knocking. 

There are details there.

I actually put together a video early last year about that.

However, the devil is in the details, of course.

I would look into their contracts in details.

Problem is, 10% down doesn't pay off our home equity loan.I tracked the buyer down and called him, and we sort of agree in principle on a deal, but the details are still fuzzy.

Buy something.There's 1000+ details omitted there for brevity, but to your question about "legal steps in terms of financing" that's the general answer.