Reaching out to seasoned investors in BP.Take advantage of all the free resources available here--the podcasts, blogs, and articles; and also network with more experienced real estate investors on BiggerPockets.Also, consider joining a local real estate investment club in your area to "rub elbows" with other real estate professionals and investors.Happy to help in any way I can.

Another target is Seniors with 15+ year ownership.

These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.

If he is not licenced/insured, friend or not, you do not hire him.Precedents dictate proper professional management of your business.

Once you have vetted the operator and find a project you like you can leverage the experience of a real estate professional to run the day to day operations. 

He can explain land trusts pretty well and has first-hand experience using them, but he is not a legal professional. 

A bit of advice to new agents and aspiring real estate professionals, FIND A MENTOR WHOM YOU ASPIRE TO BE LIKE, FIND A FEW SO THAT YOU GAIN MANY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON THE PROCESS THAT THEY TOOK TO BECOME SUCCESS.

Recommend professional evaluation and repair which may include perimeter drainage and sump pump, sealing the gaps around the main drain, and adding New Vapor barrier and insulation.

You might consider targeting Seniors with 15+ Year Ownership.

(*Relatively high compared to what we see from "professional" management companies and compared to most of what else is available in the sandboxes where we play).