However, I'm guessing banks will decrease leverage limits (already have in CRE, as have HML lenders).

Leverage, owner financing, Private money, Equity partners etc. 

I'd say that you need to just jump in on a small, low leverage deal, or partner with someone to let you view the process.

Biggest take aways was learning how to find a really good agent because it makes a world of a difference and  also learning to leverage as well as build relationships with your team from out of state. 

As you said there's no right answer, but I choose to aim for long term wealth over being debt free (as long as you manage any leverage you utilize properly!)

Also don't worry about the "deal" you see today, there will always be another great deal, so just make sure you aren't over leveraged and going into it with sound financials.

For this we need to be able to use leverage, by taking money from current properties.

In a nutshell: the US tax treatment of non-resident aliens is favorable.The financing is so expensive in general that leverage may increase risk more than it enhances the ROI. 

The great thing about technology is that it will get cheaper and cheaper to do it, whereas traditional staging can't be discounted as much.

If that's the situation in your market, you may not have a lot of leverage.