A friend of a friend approached me with an offer:He will get me leads on properties that I have for free!

There are many REIs who post short (<5 min) videos discussing definitions, examples, etc.

Well, an oil tank would be an environmental issue, not a title issue (for the most part) - and the severity of the problem (and how much you actually need to worry about it) has a lot to do with how the property is zoned (commercial or residential) and what your state's environmental laws are (this all leads to an entirely different conversation from the one we're having about the title).

I would be able to pay it back through the sale of the leads and flips I provide the company.

If you have more time than money then it could work for you, but you'll need good direct response flyers and a lot more than a few hundred, probably a few thousand before you start getting any decent leads.

Online the prices range to over $1000 but I've heard there are cheaper options, and also that a certification for Argus is not even necessary.Any professional advice or leads for me to pursue?

I really appreciate Jennifer Lapinsky's story - she has plenty of "reasons to wait" (until after the new baby, until the kids are older, etc.) but no, there she is, out there taking small steps that can lead to big things.

So if they have an eviction situation, leading to zero income for a few months, and then more money needed to get the unit ready for the next tenant....

(I used to live in the area)From the video of the property, it looks like paint, carpet and cleanup.

I heard another investor tell a story on securing a lead and speaking on the phone with a homeowner who was motivated but needed or appeared to need a push aka playing hard to get.