Congratulations to the both you on your purchases. Rick…I had been following you from the beginning….determination on your part got you there in the end.
I can appreciate that most people don't have the time, the resources or the ability to invest in US property themselves so there is a reason why most will go to the Aussie "buyers agents". Rick…again I know you had done huge amounts of research yourself on Kansas City. Biggaz..you commented that you invested in Cleveland OH but still have reservations ?? Do you mind of I ask why you invested there anyway….even with the reservations. Was it because this was the city that MyUSAProperty recommended the most ?
I made my first purchase in October last year and all is working out well for me to. I invested in an area north of Dallas TX. This was all done without a buyers agent. I'm not opposed to the concept….it's just that I was going there anyway so had no need to involve one. I had researched for 12 months solid myself so had the basics down. I was able to secure a property…get finance…get a great property manager…referred to an attorney & CPA….insurance, appraisals, title companies etc etc. I'm flying to DFW again in 3 weeks to secure my second property. A good friend of mine who lives in the US has just done the Robert Kiyosaki Rich Dad course and part of it was investing in single family homes. He was then introduced to a property company in Dallas where he purchased 3 homes. 4 months down the track he told me about them. I contacted them and loved what I heard.  They have dealt with lots of Australian buyers so are familiar with our tax laws (including SMSF's). The statistics about Dallas are staggering and will amaze you. The prices have appreciated in the last 12 months and it's population is growing at a huge rate. I am looking at a place for $85,000-00. It has been refurbed extensively and it rented for $1100 a month. I will get finance from a local private bank for minimum 50% (but likely 65%) LVR so after taxes, insurances, loan repayments etc I am left with $600 a month net (@50% LVR). 15 minutes to downtown Dallas. Property Management is provided and all done on a web portal. Again I pay no buyers agents fee's as I am dealing direct with the wholesaler. If anybody is interested I might post details each day that I am in DFW as I am spending a week there looking at the options available
Biggaz….one thing I suggest you do is look into seriously is then impact of owning the property in your name. You are automatically classed as a foreign owner at present and this will have big impacts on things like withholding tax (look up FIRPTA), US estate and gift taxes and eventually when you sell it.