As in, "I think this is right, but please don't go and act solely on what I say because I don't want to feel responsible if it doesn't pan out for you""No legal advice" is a lot quicker to type, lol!

I’m not sure if there is, but coming up with the finances is very hard all of a sudden, and the math never pans out when I work on it.

Quote from @Jordan Tinning: @Jennifer Cramer if you are working full time, and travel a lot start with an LTR.

How does the leveraged vs paid-off assets argument pan out when the **** hits the fan?

well if they have a TIN then they aren't exactly undocumented. with a TIN you should be able to buy a home.

Get a tin can (eg soup can, tomato can) and keep it by the sink. 

Even if the numbers did pan out for these properties I wouldn't touch this with a 10 ft pole unless acquisition of the property was conditional on eviction of all tenants not paying rent on time or in full.In my personal opinion youre looking to buy someone elses headache and the seller has even told you that!

We have looked at a good deal of houses in Manchester and put a couple of offers in but nothing has panned out just yet.

Were hoping to sell our house next spring,  if all pans out, and I will be looking to reinvest into another fixer upper next spring.  

Offer real help and some will pan out and some won't, but if they feel like they gained something at all from their talk with you, you can also start building referrals.