I am going to rent an apartment in another country?

without ever going there, is it possible to handle all transactions online and through faxing?
See, I am going to start an online business with a base in the apartment and I have to know what to expect when actually renting the property.
I have to know if, since my business is wholly based online and my initial office will be in the apartment, do I have to register it?

to be more specific, I want to stay here in America, hire employees who will work in the apartment while just renting it.

old expression applies here; because you can does not mean you should.

I would NEVER ever have a biz
in another nation without an agent
running it either as an employee or
partner with me.

Contact an attorney and estate agent in the country where you will be working.

Renting a property from an agency that handles rental property for the owners would work. They will have all the necessary equipment, computers, fax machines, etc. whereas an individual might not.

Operating a business requires a business license. If you are running your US based and licensed business from another country and all your transactions take place in the US... you are just taking care of your business while "away". If your business has anything to do with your being in another country and if you are dealing in any type of merchandise that passes through your hands ... well that's a business being operated in that country.

Also, if you have merchandise on the premises; have UPS picking up and/or delivering to your residence; or have customers visiting; be careful of the zoning and/or property restrictions that would prohibit those actions.