Strategy for approaching another investor?

[Christina P.]

We are newbies looking to purchase our first LTR property in a student housing area surrounding a University hospital.  In researching the area (which is already pretty small) we've discovered another investor who owns a large portion of houses- he appears to be a doctor at the hospital, in his 70s.  Although the houses have been acquired over the past 20 years, he does still seem to be actively investing- found a couple properties purchased in recent years.  Google tells me he does have kids (interested to know if he'd be looking to pass the properties along to family when he's ready to retire) although they may not be local.

We also work at the hospital.

Is it crazy and pointless to approach him (call, in person, via email)?  And I'm not sure what we'd say.  We're a young newbie couple interested in investing in the area- can you please keep us in mind if you think about selling any of the properties?  Is there anything we can help you with/any way we can add value to you in exchange for strategies and advice for purchasing and managing in the area?