Following.. and agree with @Adrian N. would be great to understand some basics so folks can start planning / looking at travel arrangements before the masses, if we decide to go.

I really want to break into flipping houses so I can start making arrangements for my mom who will be nearing retirement age soon.

This guy is a genius , get his contact info and see if you can help him with his little arrangement.

If so, that's not an area I know much about, but I do know there are unique risks (and advantages) to that kind of arrangement. 

A common arrangement would be for all equity contributed (his 20% and your $50k) to the project receives an annual preferred return based on capital contributed, typically in the 6-9% range, followed by a split of remaining cash flow between the limited partner and the general partner.

The very nature of this arrangement makes me nervous. 

Sounds like the arrangement you are discussing is called "Subject To" where you can quit claim the property to the new owner but leave the mortgage in the sellers name.

Someone messaged and after all the arrangements were made to meet, they inform us that:-they own businesses but don't pay taxes-the unit is for their daughter (who we believe is in highschool)-they want to pay cash-they want to pay for the full year up frontThere was so much confusion.

- Face-to-Face Meeting: If you can, I would try to arrange an in person meeting

Usually this is an arrangement of days or weeks.