What makes it easier for me now is I finally updated to a smart phone (I know, Mr Procrastination) and now it's easy to just take a picture of the applicant's ID.

Did you buy smart and acquire instant equity in your home?

So I got smart. 

I'm not a professional mentor, but I have mentored a lot of new investors, many from BP who live in D/FW and have taken the time to come meet with me at our office.My main point is, new investors who are hungry and smart can absolutely bring value to more experienced people who might mentor them.  

You are a smart guy, but as you do your diligence remember that lower priced properties still likely have the same systems.

Knowing there are technology tools that read text to people I decided to do a search.

This is one of the oldest stories in the book... entrenched interests fighting technological advances that threaten them but offer most people more efficiency and better product for a cheaper price. 

Smart move; you could have found yourself in a predicament somewhat like this next thread:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/41/topics/339549-salvaging-bad-flip-defaulted-loan-taxes-overdue

A lot of smart, rich, connected people were buying farm land in the US after the 2008 Economic Collapse.

Be smart as there are definitely people looking to take advantage of the system but that can happen anywhere.