I have checked out a few of the various sites that do this and I keep running into the same questions.

Seems like all "small " sites have suffered.

Not sure how he finds his lists, but I think your best bet is to find owners with equity.

Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:now i was over in Hawaii last week and my host has been buying   tax free state of Hawaii bonds which according to him have been yielding 4 to 5%I'm betting that every place you go, real estate and finance pops up in the conversation somehow...

It's the nature of the business.I wouldn't recommend hiring an agent since most agents aren't familiar or comfortable with the areas you would be investing.Your best bet is to find professionals in all facets of the process in the market you choose then fly in to town for a couple of days.

If you get a good counter and you accept you still have plenty of time and contingencies to get out if something doesn't work out for you.Take an hour and listen to the podcast and I bet you will be ready to move forward.Cheers,Bill

@William Tiffani Smith your best bet is to have a lawyer draft you a letter. 

Welcome to the site Andrew.

Most investors on this site are residential with a few commercial sprinkled in so when BP develops software to use that is likely the main focus residential first.There are tons of software for commercial analysis to use out there. 

I bet that was an awesome trip!