Yes, I like to get my ducks in order before hand also. But it would be SO hard to do that here. I was lucky, our Education City school gave us a few choices and sent us pictures. We just love our place. But a friend of mine moved in close to us after looking just a couple of days. The villa she had all set from the US turned out not to have a septic tank or sewer connection. Oooops. Seems no one noticed?! She had to scramble once she got here. That's why it's best to do it "hands on." Glad you have a place to park while you look.
Mandi