There will always be more risk with something vacant, you're probably going to be counting on one person as your "eyes" on the project (or at least for "security", overall)- and the more hands on/ closer they live / able to visit site frequently, the better. whether that is your gc, a project or property manager, or your handyman/even yard maintenance guy, neighboring teenager, or whoever- this person is key

Oklahoma does have very high insurance premiums relative to other markets due to frequent hail storms.

Do you have any tips or tricks?

As such, I would only be concerned with markets that you can get to easily/cheaply and hopefully have a direct tie to (family, frequent business trips, etc).  

I haven't frequented enough meth labs to know, but I assume that there would have been strong evidence of a meth lab on the property.Depending on your area, the tenants may be able to get a copy of the police report.

Of course I still need to decide which part of the country I plan on investing in (it's possible I'm moving around the country frequently in the first year, so that is making me think about the most ideal location for an initial investment).Once established and with a track record in Spain, I plan on making my first investment here in the US, most likely in the Boston/MA area.In any event, I'm excited to connect and learn from those in this group.If you know anyone with international investment properties or contacts abroad, especially in Spain, I would love to connect!

My thought is you want to be very active and present at that property frequently. 

Pay in more frequent installments?

I’ve been spending a lot of time on Bigger Pockets and reading articles to prepare myself before I begin - but I’m at the moment where I feel I am in a great spot to start.I’m interested in finding a fix & flip property in the Metro Detroit area that might offer a good opportunity.Any tips, tricks, or advice for a beginning flipper?

@Arlyssa WarnerReal estate investing involves strategies like the assignment of contracts, rent tricks, and quick selling.