Don't be that person.  

I am new here just trying to learn and gain knowledge to start buying my own rentals 

You can probably meet him in person if you attend the next HH.

Lesson learned.

I have taken numerous courses in RE and am passionate about learning more I am based out of West TX- Midland/Odessa area

My personal opinion is that, while shifting investments into real estate may be the right move for your situation, there is likely a lot of work to be done before you get to that step to avoid a potentially costly mistake. 

A nice but expensive duplex on a beach or in an expensive area might be ideal, if you can swing the other half out of personal funds. 

I'm hoping for some input on the best way to write up the lease contracts, as that is my next personal assignment.

I personally believe his contract job contract got cancelled as i know others from his company left that same week. 

Personally we recently sold one of our properties with the sole purpose of paying off a loan of ours.