Overseas buyer

Paperwork for a purchase can easily be processed without coming to the US. I've done several transactions where the buyer (or seller) was out of the US and simply went to the local embassy to have the paperwork notarized and returned to escrow.

A property management company can easily handle coordination of repairs and collection of rents for you.

Find an agent in the area that you wish to purchase and ask them for recommendations of a good property manager.

There are many properties in our area (Orlando- Disney) which are owned by Foreign Nationals.   Most utilize a property manager to not only collect the rents, but also to assess and expedite any needed repairs.  Typically the property managing firm will also provide the needed financials to comply with U. S. tax code relevent to rental properties.   Many in our area have a great deal of experience with Foreign Nationals.   The tax code can be daunting as there are a number of ways to report the income.  If you do not spend time in the U. S., the "substantial presence" test would not apply and would fall under either the 30% witholding rule or the income could be viewed as "ECI- effectively connected income" coming from an enterprise with tax imposed on net income.   My suggestion is to obtain the services of a CPA familiar with Foreign Owned Rental Properties.  I would also recommend going to www.irs.gov and downloading Forms W-7 and Form 8840; also download Publications 527, 515, and 550.  Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.  
Tom O'Brien,  Watson Realty   [phone removed by Zillow moderator]