Thanks for your input 20driver.
You're right about proceeding with extreme caution, which is why i am doing my due diligence first.
I've tried AOPA, but you need to be a member to get that sort of gen. I don't want to start shelling out on AOPA membership just yet, especially if I can't become an owner!
There must be a way around it. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of N reg aircraft based over the world outside the US. I bet they're not all owned by Americans.