As a follow up, if you do think that a long term rental would be a good route for you, I'd recommend starting with a small home near you or in a location where you have someone you can trust to check on it/maintain it. 

It does not allow for any netting of related expense, FDAP applies on stock dividends, bond coupons and US savings account interest.The Effectively-Connected-Income-(ECI)), meaning connected to some business or activity in the US.

There are instances where surrounding improvements naturally are holding or maintaining values, and in some places, they are going up, depending on the use of the particular property.

I believe that the SFR class, formulated around upgraded and well maintained assets, will flourish for several years to come. 

The residents love the fact that it's quiet, well maintained, and has lots of space.

Buy as much FB stock as possible.

There is an even broader range of "small shops" than STNL retail, i own a gas station, etc.The short answer is, always maintain your property, be aware of your tenants' needs and have cash reserves to remodel or reposition the assets to generate the highest rent.

.-- Owners maintain the property so those who cannot afford to do it have a roof over their head that does not leak (an un-doable repair expense for "The Working Poor"), and replace furnaces so they don't freeze to death in the winter, and replace hot water heaters so they can wash.The working poor cannot afford to buy furnace, let alone the price of installation.There is not a renter/owner problem in the USA, other than what is being artificially gined up.The system works well for both sides.Just my 2 cents. 

I got into real estate 5 years ago and wanted something to diversify my portfolio a bit vs having all my retirement and 401k investments in the stock market  I’m loving real estate so far and actually enjoy self managing my properties.

Most of the housing stock is over 80 years old.