I think this would be a good time to use my skills and contacts and apply it to real estate investing and see what happens!

There he sharpened his business fundamentals, data analysis skills, interpersonal communication/presentation skills, and management skills.

I've got the time and some skills if they're short on time. 

I've also read that you can use your skills and work for them for free, which I am definitely willing to do.

There's a saying: "Statistics are like bikinis: What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital."

There's nothing stopping you from optioning the house in change for money that you spend to make vital repairs and at least keep code enforcement and others from pursuing.

Get a feel of what the market is demanding, a feel of dealing with sellers, negotiation skills and then scale up.

What would lead people to believe that it is anything but a very minute possibility that one can "invest" in real estate without any money, and, even worse, without any experience or skills when it comes to real estate? 

There's lots of people  skills necessary for the buy & hold investor.

Looking for mentor to help me learn and my skill in the real estate game. longterm goal is to build a great real estate business/portfolio and get into development.