This is especially true the finer the market is.I see a lot of different strategies from serial investors I work with regularly, and would be happy to learn more about your finer details as such.

I would just say the biggest red flag here is "anything sounding too good to be true" - whether thats a hard money interest rate well below market, or 100% "no skin in the game" financing, etc. - those are the biggest red flags here IMO

Work with a broker that can shop the market for you and your particular situation(s).  

Also, if you shop around you can do better on some prices. 

That might not be true for all universities. 

I've tried Spokeo, True People Search and beenverified with no luck

I rent multiple rooms, farmland and shop space.

@Josh Banwart not a one-stop-shop but you could check out the facebook group Expat Home Owners Germany.

Rent control can be a real deal killer - most listing agents love to use the pro forma rents (market rents) even when their true rents are 50% of market.

Being upfront and honest with you before either of you waste any time is true indicator a bad person has changed for the good.