I’ve had people turn me down on $300k deals because I wasn’t experience enough but closed $700k deals with strangers who trusted me.3)Don’t be intimidated by larger price points and “luxury” clients.

Hey stranger!

The fact that these people know you and what you are planning to do with the money often means they perceive less risk than if they were to do the same loan with a stranger, lowering the return they would require.

In today's day in age if you can do something like that online with strangers and eliminate the risk factors that would be incredible. 

Don't take legal advice about contracts from strangers on an internet forum.Long and short: Make your P.S. your main post; that's what you're after here.Cheers!

The fact that you’re on the fence to the point that you’re asking strangers (albeit knowledgeable strangers) for their opinion tells me you might sleep better at night just getting the inspection.

As if anyone would do that for a stranger based on their word that they will hire you if they get the property.

Once someone rents they have to send a picture of their drivers license and a selfie of them holding their drivers license (yes, I routinely ask strangers to send me selfies). 

Jumping on a forum and asking a bunch of strangers how to build your future is a terrible, terrible idea.

And yet, truth is often stranger than fiction and reality (as you pointed out about the truly crazy previous owner) is actually more entertaining... or so I think.A priceless experience for you both though - thanks for sharing!