I've seen a people make this work successfully in Tulsa, you'd just need to be sure your goals align and the contract is set up correctly.Out of curiosity, what interested you in rent-to-own? 

A well-defined mission aligns everyone’s efforts toward a common objective.

A house hack is a solid way to get started as long as it aligns with your long term goals.I agree with @Samuel Diouf and @Jackson Ebersole's comments.You'll want to consider the competitiveness on Long Island.

Take a look at their strategy, their experience, track record, full cycle deals.The other thing to do is to align your goals and objectives to the sponsor.

For most people a house is the biggest investment and emotional purchase of their lives.The best brokers are experts in a particular micro-market and that knowledge is valuable.One issue with lawyers is they are more skilled in protecting clients from negative consequences than with making deals happen, so their skill set is aligned but not the same.

If it was my deal, and I found out about something, whether legal or not, I would think that my investors have a right to know, and it would be my duty.I can see your values did not align with this individual and good on you for breaking apart.Gino

I am of the "never Communist" camp so there ya go, that's my alignment. 

The property's location and price point aligned perfectly with our strategy to execute fast-turnaround, high-profit deals.

What happens when your expectations don't align with theirs?

The book introduces the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a framework designed to help businesses clarify, simplify, and achieve their vision.We use it for vision alignment, goal setting, & accountability.