Welcome aboard, man :) Just a quick tip from a fellow (ex) IT geek - technology makes it more than possible to invest anywhere in the world these days - don't feel like you're limited to your back yard, by any means.We and our clients invest mainly in Japan, hold note investments in the US, cash term deposits in Euro, and are now expanding to Italy.

Do I need to find a company that is local (within driving distance), or with technology nowadays can I do everything using a phone, fax, and internet with my feet on my desk?

anyway... we packed up our search n have stuck to our comfort zone in where we come from (technology field).fast fwd to 2011, I'm focused on sfr n residential mkt (4u)... the current consideration has been flip n according to a CPA re investor, he's told us LLC is not a good vehicle for flip biz, but good for buy hold biz.after about a solid 9mos of gettg familiar w the residential side of analysis etc, I'm now figuring out the ideal strategies n what order to pursue.

.:)I'm sure you've been an early adapter since birth, but it's unlikely that you were surrounded by cell phones in 1982, or even in 1992.We aren't talking technology, we are talking markets with poverty and education problems, often combined with an older generation.

Many of us accountants have clients nationwide thanks to technology.

I have also developed my own lead management system and integrated dialing technologies that allows the sales force to talk to 40 people a day.

I worry about the stability of that market.I suck with technology.

They're usually at the technological level of a hammer and just as stubborn.

As far as rent collection is concerned Im still collecting rent the old fashioned way via a check or money order from the tenant and its immediately deposited into an account via mobile deposit technology.  

Alot of businesses are run like it’s still the 80’s or 90’s and technology has come a long way.