If you are a beginner, I highly recommend exhausting your conventional options.

But on this specific guy, I jumped on a call to explore the program and it was a high pressure sales call, it did not feel organic, not trustworthy and certainly did not feel the right fit.Why would someone spend 10k on a so niched-down space of real estate when they can get someone for the same amount to teach him/her everything?  

Since you’re considering Midwest markets, I’d highly recommend adding Detroit to your list of cities to research.

For a 3-4 family home, it's more complicated—you're looking at commercial lending, which requires a large upfront investment, high holding costs, and greater risks.

High praise coming from you Steve.

I had similar thoughts as to why they would want to take over payments on a brand new mortgage at a high rate.

-You don't really know how high of a price you will net unless you go to the open market.

I got the Discover It Secured card in high school and used that to build up my credit. 

If the seller is insisting on a high price with not-so-hot financing terms, though, this may be a riskier project than it's worth.

We have restricted cities in my market that are loosely enforced, but I would highly suggest not going into an investment "hoping to not be caught".