I've seen a lot of people try this, and they rarely use the home. 

In the  future - never  pay an application or engagement fee   when trying to  get a home loan or a  reseideential loan  

If I do this on my own, how would someone show a home long distance. 

@Katie Lyon Because our weather is more temperate over the winter months, we have much more consistency in demand across all times of the year, so typically the market stays fairly consistent through all seasons.

Once you know the "basics', you can then invest OOS more successfully.If you can't afford to invest in your home area, how will you grow your knowledge of an OOS if you take a shotgun approach to where you buy?

that's a pretty intensive list more than most home inspector bring 

Purchase price: $169,000 Cash invested: $35,000 Looking to put 70K into the separate garage to make a 730Sqft home.

Typically these people are really forthcoming with info and can tell you.

Every home has a story.

And if a property is owner occupied, how can you secure a loan with a hard money lender not being able to view the home to estimate repairs?