Lodger has verbally agreed to surrender premises (mailed back keys from jail) and but stated since has no living family members available, requested his security deposit back and month to month storage of personal property (passport, social security card, US Army Veteran Honorable Discharge paper, about 5 suitcases of clothing and a couple milkcrate size boxes of misc personal belongings, that's it).

I agree about SOFILook into house hacking ( duplex & multifamily ) If possible look into deferring student loans for 6 to 12 monthsResearch , study , and attend local REIA meeting over next yearDetermine your current market for investingDo run out purchase turn key properties without doing a lot of researchBring down your DTI by lowering or saving student loans Stock market will most likely be in sell mode until the middle of December( only my two cents )

How to find partners / colleagues / workersBoth are necessary components for investing abroad. 

Trouble is, I'm not sure about turn key rentals as I've seen some experienced investors like freedom mentor (Phil P) try them and get out of them, recommending that you be within driving distance of your rentals.

Scott I believe is a great start as well for it helped me understand the key components and basics of house flipping.

I've seen some junky props that passed S8 in NJ, NY, CT and MA and for sure they weren't fully deleaded.It doesn't need to be brought down to bare wood, there are different techniques for different components.

Transparency and having a seamless and established system of contracting and closing are key to making the agent feel comfortable working with you.

For example, you set up key word alerts. http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts

There has been a relatively recent freon change and the old "R22" freon is extremely expensive (more than 10 times what it used to cost) and most newer units are designed for the new freon and the inside and outside components typically can't be old/new mix.

Recently, I have made several offers and I have had sellers electing to walk away from the deal, if I would not agree to use "their" title company.Obviously,  I am missing something here; but, what is clear to me, 'one who controls the keys, controls the castle'.