Your time here will be well spent.Since your interest lies in two popular niches, buy and hold as well as flips, I added links below on these specialities for your review.http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/01/04/how-to-rent-your-house/ (house rental guide)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property) http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips)Now that you have made the move, below are some links that will help with the navigation of the site. http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meethttps://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/categorieshttps://www.udemy.com/biggerpockets-real-estate-investing-course/ (video with 64 lectures and approx 6hrs of material)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)Before your 1st purchase, please ensure you visit the below link for some tips.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REIs)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

How do I ensure he owns the houses and they aren't still financed?  

I am currently evaluating a deal that will require some creative financing..

Your time here will be well spent.Now that you have made the move, below are some links that will help with the navigation of the site. http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meethttps://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/categorieshttps://www.udemy.com/biggerpockets-real-estate-investing-course/ (video with 64 lectures and approx 6hrs of material)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)Before your 1st purchase, please ensure you visit the below link for some tips.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/ (7 absolute must read books for beginner REIs)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

, avoid heavy leverage (this removes an exit strategy if the market goes down) OR do not plan to sell (long enough to wait out a dip), ensure your rent rates are good enough that if they dip you can still cover your payments / expenses, get great managers or manage well to ensure solid tenants, and have enough money in reserve to operate in a bad scenario.There are a million ways to do everything in real estate.

I'm sure you know there is specific language recommended by the state of Florida to ensure your tenants rights are not violated.

There is a good short course over on GREA you might check out, things change is real estate and finance from our old days,, need to get current and we really need to know the regulations and tax issues before we get creative in real estate.

However, if you are investing in a less desirable area ensure that you take proper precautions to prevent theft.  

Becoming a real estate investor has its up and downs, it's risks and rewards, and of course the potential of living a life where I have the opportunity of owning my time and energy; by this I mean, eventually I will not be working a 9 to 5 job where I am constantly following repetitive task day in and out, and where I do not have the freedom to express my self and creativity.

Otherwise it's creative accounting which isn't true.