He would like to acquire some rental properties maybe from someone looking to get rid of some unwanted properties or least favorites in their portfolio that may need some love.

It’s my favorite strategy hands down and what I’ve been doing exclusively for the past 5 or so years.

This was originally going to be a retail flip in one of my favorite neighborhoods in Indianapolis.

If you don't know/understand the law, you'll have a difficult life.Then you need to learn 147 other skills like marketing, screening, building policies, enforcing late fees, how to evict, etc.My favorite source for a beginner is Every Landlord's Legal Guide by NOLO.

Extra points for using the word Smithereens. one of my favorites! 

In fact, it gave me the distinct impression that I may never get a deal funded and that it was a SCAM to get my upfront payment (maybe not, but that is the impression I got) - and one of my favorite quotes is "Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get me!"

Check out my personal favorite, Set For Life by @Scott Trench , or The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. 3.

My favorite real estate strategy for starting out is always buying a too big house (foreclosure/estate sale, “rent-ready” but with problems like smokey or smelly or painted weirdly), near where I work and and living in it for free with 2-4 roommates.

We do have some shelving in the garage and I'm considering a more sturdy slotted metal shelving from Menards. 

Only changed the price once and saw how it was done; coin slots are simple.