The level of service that foreigners are used to is not the same as normally provided (at mainly local offices/agents). 

Some mentees will act as a bloodhound for the mentor, knocking on doors, driving for dollars, scouring the internet, making cold calls, or performing other services that help the mentor find new deals.

Educating yourself on the various types of social service interventions that may be possible would be a good idea.

If you haven't already, local meet up groups are a great way of networking and finding local investors who may have a need for your services.

When it comes to property type, SFHs typically have higher appreciation potential but require more maintenance, while condos and townhouses can offer good cash flow and lower upkeep.

However, by the time we wrapped up the rehab it was practically the holiday season which is typically the "slow" period in Metro Detroit for both sales transactions and renting properties.

I have been looking for a home in Southern California... which I do not want to go the typical route because of competition and also my tax returns are not so friendly to conventional lenders.  

Lots to consider here depending on date purchased, how it was split, what is being built, and when it is placed into service.

For purposes of this paragraph (e)(3), an activity involving the use of tangible property is not a rental activity for a taxable year if for such taxable year—(A) The average period of customer use for such property is seven days or less;(B) The average period of customer use for such property is 30 days or less, and significant personal services (within the meaning of paragraph (e)(3)(iv) of this section) are provided by or on behalf of the owner of the property in connection with making the property available for use by customers;(C) Extraordinary personal services (within the meaning of paragraph (e)(3)(v) of this section) are provided by or on behalf of the owner of the property in connection with making such property available for use by customers (without regard to the average period of customer use);(D) The rental of such property is treated as incidental to a nonrental activity of the taxpayer under paragraph (e)(3)(vi) of this section;(E) The taxpayer customarily makes the property available during defined business hours for nonexclusive use by various customers; or(F) The provision of the property for use in an activity conducted by a partnership, S corporation, or joint venture in which the taxpayer owns an interest is not a rental activity under paragraph (e)(3)(vii) of this section.

If I look at my investments in B- and C areas I know that the longer I hold them, the better the numbers typically get.