They have all been tire kickers looking to buy at a steep discount as well or folks wanting to meet for coffee and 'pick my brain' about investing.

I wish I could stay here and pick your brain for awhile. 

This is a cash or terms business.One tool is not enough.Situation - Free and clear pretty house ---> installment sale - private mortgage, low down, buy and hold or resell.Situation - no equity pretty house ---> sub2 or wrap or lease option assignment, exit rent out or lease 2 own or resellSituation - 20% equity pretty house ---> list it if licensed, sub2 plus noteSituation - 40% equity ugly house ---> wholesale flip or JV and buy it or JV with the seller (buy sub2 + note, own it, jv agreement, improve it with private money, list it, resell it, pay off former owner and private lender, make JV fee of 5% +)There are other tools but that is enough to get a strain on your brain. :)And just because you understand those tools, does nt mean you can persuade the seller to use one of them.Cash or terms. 

If anyone can help simplify this for me, so maybe it will click in my brain ...

This is a great time to pick their brain. 

I feel my brain growing.This came to be because I incorporated investment language in my cover letters and peppered it into my job interviews.

@Gustavo PerezI listen to a lot of audiobooks and have several close friends in property investment and management so I try to pick their brain every chance I get.

@Bryan Vincent you seem to be very motivated and dedicated but your brain is currently engineering a real estate license with a mentor who is always absent and you are doing all this with no money, pardon my directness. 

I'm positive that he's never even thought about that.5) Several people brought up deals they were working on or considering so that we could brain storm and give advice.  

I would love to pick the brains of all.