They may not all the person a coach/mentor but...  

Keep working on your folks to shed the "we're homeowners" persona and find them a great rental... you can paint the vision of how they don't have to lift a finger to maintain the place.Good on you for wanting to help family.  

Most contractors are good people - they know how to get the job and usually get the job done on time and will persuade you by  using their credentials, personality and the persuasive skills of a veteran master sales person, a closer - a skilled entrepreneur  knowing were the bottom lines is and how to increase profits and up the bottom line, how to up-sell and get change orders approved. 

Wow I posted this twice and no replies but if I posted and said I have no money and I'm looking to buy a multi everyone would chime in with a personae I am seriously starting to wonder about this site I can't any feed back or input on my strategy?????!!

Some agents in my area (DC) are saying it's not allowed because a licensed person can't pay any sort of money to an unlicensed person as that constitutes a 'referral fee.' 

I would encourage you to network in person as much as possible.

You know the ones that create an online persona of success, when in reality they are nothing but online trolls?

Use that person as a model.  

I recommend finding a REI meetup in CO Springs and network in person as well.

My plan is to purchase some properties during the October auction and I will be analyzing several deals in person as well as finalizing my Detroit team.