Also, @Connor Gillen is a great person to chat with as well. 

I think personal capital is great.

You could try driving for dollars.In general, the easier you make this person's life, the more valuable you'll be to them.

Personally, we spent about a year and a half listening to podcasts, reading a bunch of REI books, and talking to experienced investors before we felt the time is right.

Be prepared to answer a lot of tough questions about the risks and the process in general.On the plus side, having to pay cash and be at the auction in person usually roots out the "know nothing" buyers that drive prices up.

Not necessarily but I felt as though I didn’t need to spend more time there personally.

Biggest thing is to make sure the agent and title company are competent in Seller Financing, I personally close my Seller Financing deals with a title company who has a real estate attorney on staff.   

It's about being a person great mentors want to help!

If it is a good deal then the right person will be willing to look at some private money options or even look to structure a partnership where they bring in the capital and lend-ability and you manage the deal for them.

If you are worried about being over leveraged first look at your personal debts that are not producing income for you.Remember that when you are increasing equity in a property you are only reducing the risk of the lender.