Are you more weary of him, the individual, the validity of the note he is selling, terms, or the actual asset behind the note?

We are hoping to team up with a local individuals that are knowledgeable on the area and understands what to look for in an investment property.

This will avoid the person running away with your money and will allow other contractors to potentially provide feedback on his work(to see if they are good or bad).Yes - this does mean having to individually hire and find contractors for electricians, plumbers, roofers, flooring people.

I've actually already met some phenomenal, like-minded individuals on this website that I'm VERY excited to collaborate with and grow, and if anyone reading this would like to work together, great! 

You can search by company name, or an individual's name, to see if they're licensed here: https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org/If you just want to verify if there's even a company registered in California under the name they claim to be operating under, you can do that here: https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Also, I just noticed in your second post the terms this company apparently offered you (100% financing, 6 months up to 30 years on any type of property at 4% interest). 

The IRS recently provided guidance regarding eligibility under the CARES Act and specified that a qualified individual includes an individual who has a reduction in pay (or self-employment income) due to COVID-19.

Also, if you plan on partnering with this individual long-term, I think a 50/50 will induce less strain on the relationship.

Agent, investor/agent etc...If you have any questions, just put it up here, or reach out individually, you will get help.

IMO your options are: (1) look in less expensive markets where your dollar goes further, (2) invest in a different asset type, (3) invest with someone else / partner on a deal, (4) wait for prices to adjust, if it happens... personally, I would expect to see some distressed sellers who are going to be taken out by the eviction moratoriums due to abusive tenants - MA is brutal when it comes to the super-progressive lawmakers who think free rent w/o aid to landlords is perfectly acceptable... but I digress.

I realize things might be a bit limited because of COVID, but I'd really like to spend more time around like-minded individuals.