In this case hopefully you would have memorialized the economic arrangement between yourself and your partner with a TIC agreement.When multiple taxpayers each have a TIC interest in a property, each reports on their respective tax returns their pro rata (i.e., proportionate) share of the property's revenue and expenses depending on their percentage ownership of the property.If your economic arrangement between yourself and your partner is more complicated than the mere sharing of revenue and expenses based on your interest in the property such that your shared activities rise to the level of engaging in business together, then you may have a partnership for income tax purposes and would be required to file Form 1065 and related state filings, if applicable.Among other things, maintaining proper property books and records is essential to maintaining TIC status before the IRS.

Certain arrangements will result in prohibited transactions.The rule's main purpose is to increase the number of fiduciaries by broadening the term “investment advice.”

They have mentioned setting up a trust to facilitate that, but have also said that they are open to other arrangements that would make better use of the property. 

I've heard it may work better to hire a lawyer to arrange financing, than fly back myself (target area still undecided, leaning towards OH or IN). 

There are a lot of examples online for partner arrangements for you to research.

I am really hoping we can keep the arrangement working in my next level as a landlord but it will be entirely up to you.

Now that you have your personal living arrangements covered , take the rest of your savings and keep some for emergency .  

Some need to be answered up front just to determine if you want to spend the time worrying about the opportunity. 1) I'd verify that the seller owns the properties and there aren't any unpaid liens, unmentioned other owners, legal issues, drug lords living in the premises, that kind of thing. 2) Verify as close as possible what the actual value of the properties are. 3) Find out why he wants to sell. 4) Depending on the underlying note, see if there is a Due on Sale Clause. 5) Check and see if the properties are cross collateralized 6) Have a plan in place for property management 7) Ask for the rent rolls 8) Verify taxes and monthly, yearly maintenance costs 9) Your Owner Financing arrangement needs to be written by an experienced local real estate attorney 10) Call a couple of banks and ask them if you will be able to refinance the properties in two years per the agreement.

I'm trying to find ways to partner with other investors so that they can benefit from my special arrangement.

You can give them the apt. for free for doing the general maintenance, bookkeeping, etc. or some other arrangement you are comfortable with.