I eventually met a friend and mentor who was into both real estate and network marketing that showed me there is a better way.

Some do it right, some are pricks and most just don't know any better because that is what their mentor has taught them.

You also need a solid mentor.

You are 21 years old which means you should be a Junior in college and should be graduating next year.

Go out and find a mentor for your first home. 

So a lease option technically is legal.But...I get your point.Now in regards to bird dogging, if it still exists in 2016, IMO is only retrieving info regarding (as someone mentioned previously) vacant or distressed homes, such as overgrown lawns, or via through networking or maybe a gopher if you will, for whomever is mentoring them. 

For example:- if you are a mentor/coach you'll have one for that.

This really isn't any different than sourcing money from an institutional investor aside from the fact that most platforms have junior processes for screening and don't offer other upside like introductions to anchor tenants for large projects, etc.  

He got his start years ago by paying a mentor $35k and made it back in the first few deals he and his wife worked on. 

Soon enough you will be able to find your own deals and funnel back to the same mentor and make a good profit.