I found out through tax records that the owner of the home is actually the father of someone that I went to high school with, so they're not total strangers.

Don't be a stranger.

Do I want to sell houses to/for strangers?

But it does need a communication ability that might be hard to do unless you can talk well with strangers.  

First, don't leave valuables unattended in the presence of strangers.

-2 to Nick and Williams advice ... going out of state is the WORST thing you can do as a newbie investor ... you give up all your control over your investment and have to rely on the kindness of strangers to keep your best financial interests at heart and make or break your RE investment for you.

Few will share a stranger their portfolio....

Aaron Forness Hello Aaron my business partner and I are no stranger to door knocking!

Being able to talk to a stranger and then turn them into a friend over a short conversation because you both have seen and found common ground was the most exciting part of living aboard.

Never offer term leases to strangers.