Start eliminating markets - again be ruthlessYou should be down to 15-20 places now (3) Determine your "Nice to haves" and then rank your list Does the market have coffee shops, shopping, other city folks , is it to "hick" or not "hick" enough, do you want to swim in the lake or ocean or just be nearby?

If you do not have the money to start, do not be lazy, do not try to take shortcuts and just get a job, second job, 3rd job, stop buying cigarettes, coffee, beer, save every dollar you can save even if it takes you 6 months.

I'm not sure if there's something a little extra in my coffee this morning or if it's the 3 or 4 years of listening to all the podcasts and reading books has finally added up but I finally contacted a realtor this morning about a potential buy of a distressed property!  

Would you be willing to take a few minutes to virtually meet with me over coffee (Starbucks E-gift card) so I could ask you some questions about the area?

In fact, I do so much of my investing online and over the phone, that I do get a bit of anxiety when I do go to meetups or go out for coffee to talk shop.

Yes, you'll need a permit, and yes, you should call the building department and ask about height limitations, engineer stamp requirements, property lines, setbacks, skirt lengths, and giant schnauzers.But maybe before you alert the townfolk of an imminent geotechnical disaster -- a couple deep breaths and a coffee might be in order.

There is a big need for more rentals - both long term and vacation rentals.In addition to the rental properties I own, and a small coffee farm, I do master leasing long term then sub-lease as a vacation rental.Some other big pluses about Panama. 

Anybody you want to learn from, ask if you can buy them lunch or coffee ask lots of questions and listen for ways you can add value to their business.

What does the apartment actually look like...did they just walk out one morning with coffee cups on the kitchen table, clothes in the closet, multiple pairs of shoes, medicine cabinet looking normal, perhaps with toothbrushes still in place?

@Andrew FidlerHey Andrew,I hope your well.Haven't spoken to you in a while.Lets catch up for coffee?