.- I printed out my own dialogue example and practiced many early mornings so it became natural as I was talking to sellers.

And assuming they have experience,I'd still make sure they have adequate cash reserves in case things go south. 

At the time when I purchased my first home, the broker I was working with thought I was very knowledgeable and naturally talented in the art of Real Estate and provided me with the option to obtain my license and come work with him.

Start looking at and evaluating deals until it becomes second nature.

The best way to stress test depends on the market, portfolio, and the asset class.At the end of the day, both are solved by having adequate reserves, not sucking every last dollar out of your property, and having manageable expenses. 

Then hope nature takes out the tree and insurance covers it.

If that furnace is oil or natural gas/propane it will most likely be in the rage of 60 - 70% efficient.  

My goal (considering TVM principles) to get my money back within 5-10 years and for net present value to be better than selling and putting the cash in a conservative portfolio of stocks/bonds - which would be for me: 25% stocks/65% diversified bonds/10% cash or something of that nature yielding 3-4% after tax.My challenge still.... is the math and comparative analysis with different seller financing structuring. 

Not ashamed, as intimidation is Nature's way of saying, "Make sure the ice is six inches deep before you go running across the lake."

Because we do it this way, we can sell the properties for a little over market value, we don’t have to pay realtor fees, we don’t have to pay concessions, and the tenant pays down our mortgage for a few years which increases the margin, and then we cash out.as long as the lessor buys it that's true.. my experience with lease options is less than 50% of them will actually execute.. many will just up and move and some you will evict and some you will pull through the knot hole.. just human nature really.