While reverse mortgages are a cool concept I would avoid if possible because of astronomical fees.I would learn as much as possible about reverse mortgages and all the costs because then weighing the alternatives would come from a more educated place.

Personally, I find learning to be much more fun when your actually doing as opposed to reading about it.Some alternatives to paying for a mentor or guru:1.

I find every day my truck is getting pack more and more with stuff.For instance:Standards-A ladder so I can quickly look into the attic area.Small tool box with standard wrenches, pliers, screwdriver etcRegular 30’ tape measure and electronic tape measureBriefcase with contract, MLS sheetsLock boxesDoor knobsSlightly Unusual-Compass, believe it or notBolt cuttersMounted laptop to access the internet for on the spot researchSoon, I will be using my box truck as my pov, that way I can immediately board up the property when I have a contract on it.

Offer to help arrange movers, find a storage unit, pay for a truck, ect.

Pension funds looking for an alternative to low-risk bonds, CDs, and US Treasury's want a high quality, asset-backed, "safe" investment.

Try offering her an incentive to leave such as cash for keys or paying for 3 guys with a truck to help her move.

If you want to be sure, though, you could have your realtor walk the properties to get an idea of their condition and finishings, or alternatively call the selling realtor.   

If your finances / credit are a shambles and your current income isn't helping you sort it out,     then obviously you need to focus on gaining more income.Set your financial issues aside for now - they're not helping you - and learn to work around them.One of the biggest newbie mistakes is thinking that you need your own money and sterling credit to get into REI.While those certainly do help, if you don't have them, you need to find a different solution.Learn to attract and engage private lenders.Folks with large retirement accounts - medical people, attorneys, ... high-income professionals who may or may not be self-employed - need alternatives to the risks, whims and paltry ROI of Wall Street.

The Porta potty pump trucks aren't all set up for this task so definitely work out that aspect.

Rebelling from the status quo and looking for alternatives from the traditional career path allowed me to discover real estate investing at an early age.