Confirm that the provider has experience with the particular investments in which you intend to invest your retirement funds as you very likely will have questions in terms of the mechanics (e.g. how do you invest in real estate, etc.).4.

You may wish to confirm that the new 401k provider has experience with the particular investments in which you intend to invest your retirement funds as you very likely will have questions in terms of the mechanics (e.g. how do you invest in real estate, etc.).3.

I'm particularly curious (concerned) about the refinance step. 

Some credit unions and local banks are ok to deal with non US residents for commercial loans, particularly experienced ones. 

How did you find a particular area that made sense & agents within those areas?

Keep in mind if a particular neighborhood already has a good amount of construction happening, you are too late. 

I am planning to speak to the professional who checked out this particular home.

If it's your first, but you're thinking of doing it regularly I'd advise treating it like a business and talking to both a lawyer and a CPA as it may be advantageous for you to form an entity or to open an IRA if you don't already have one for the purpose if it best fits your particular situation.

Seems like the best and smartest option (by far) to me, and it's at least worth doing some research on to see if it makes sense for your particular situation.  

In no particular order I have listed some of the most popular markets for out of state investorsCleveland, OhioDayton, OhioToledo, OhioYoungstown, OhioCincinnati, OhioMemphis, TennesseeBirmingham, AlabamaKansas City, MissouriSaint Louis, MissouriIndianapolis, IndianaDetroit, MichiganErie, PennsylvaniaLouisville, KentuckyMilwaukee, WisconsinJackson, MississippiEach of these markets is popular with turnkey investors because of the low barrier to entry, high rental demand & high rent to price ratio.