Find what it is you enjoy about real estate and become better than anyone else in your specific market.If you can't find good deals in your immediate area, look at a nearby community or find another state completely.There's an incredible amount of information on this site for FREE and the community is fantastic.  

Wish you the best of luck and hope you're enjoying our country and settling in and making yourself at home! 

For now, I plan on keeping my deals broad to derive what I truly enjoy and what my market primarily supports.

John,Welcome to BP John sure you're going to enjoy the experience here in this forum I know some very experienced real estate investors that are semi retired and have been in the business 30 40 + years that are looking for people like you that want to learn and might be able to exchange a little bit of your time or maybe experience in other areas to learn real estate investing and to have a pro looking over your shoulder.I would be happy to put you in touch if you decide you'd like to meet somebody like that

Enjoy!

you can also just google things like how much should it cost to install a water heater and get some idea although these things can very quite a bit across the country.  

Enjoy as you prosper.....

Setting up google alerts for your local market helps you stay on top of things.http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/home-sales-in-tampa-bay-and-florida-show-down-as-inventory-shrinks/2255091

Enjoy as you prosper.....

Simply google for a portfolio lender, they may be able to assist you.Much Luck!