I think I shared enough to help others here.

Get a small MF you can house hack and start that way.I'm not an expert on the auction scene, but, from what I have read, that is a challenging first step into investing. 

Full disclosure, I'm not a disaster expert, politician or climate alarmist, but according to those fighting fires on the California coast since the 1960's, Devil Winds are natural occurrences each and every decade but require highly conducive conditions to be as destructive. 

I try to help and educate people.

Are there specific tools, presentations, or approaches that help them feel more confident in taking that first step?

You may need some help with capital, or credit, or both.

For instance, I served as an expert witness in a case where a property was transferred to a new owner sub-to.

Sorry, I can't help with arbitrage.

so that's the trade off.hope that helps - just giving you some things to think about. 

I am very much an expert on Hoboken and Weehawken.