Your best bet is to get the owner's permission (in writing, preferably on the contract) so you don't have to worry about any legal ramifications or people getting frustrated that you're advertising or showing a property you don't own. 

I would check up with your town zoning laws to see how this works  I think most investments require 20% down, but I bet some with more experience then me will be able to help you out!

I would look for these things with the knowledge that I will personally move out soon and that I want to get renters in the future.If you are buying a forever home, or a long term home,  I would look for the things a young family would want;  safer quiet neighborhood, maybe a park, proximity to schools, etc. 

I would bet that rock is mortared on to a brick structure.

Not impossible but there are many other safer options.

But as a safe bet all you need is like $50k. $50k will likely buy you a multi million dollar apartment building, which again will set you up financially for life.

Obv- my best bet is to touch base with an accountant but I was just wondering what everyone else's experience has been thus far.

I bet you thought it would be more involved.

In most markets the gatekeepers of the MLS are realtors (in some areas its the title companies), so, yes, networking with a realtor is your best bet.

It's pretty easy to pull capital out and continue to leverage it without the need to fully sell the property.Third, a property you know is orders of magnitude safer than a property you don't.