If you think they'll shrug you off, you'll be surprised.As you figure out the best strategy for you and what these deals look like, you can start meeting with investor-friendly agents to help guide you further and start analyzing deals. 

I think this is a great idea Doug. 

I think we are already being generous.

If you have a property under contract at a great price, and a competitive bid scenario between multiple investors may be the right course of action, consult with a reputable real estate auction company.The auction company should be able to tell you pretty quick whether your deal is as good as you think it is.

I was beginning to think that VRBO is where you go when you've been kicked off the Airbnb platform for mischief. 

@Michael Baum I didn’t think about preparing for replacing the furniture.

Planning on the shaker white for the next house I get, as most people think it is a timeless look.

Think a good rule of thumb when investing out of state is to:1)  Talk to their sales team and get their top property/area recommendation2)  Do your own analysis on that area for population growth, crime, income. 

So, with no foundational knowledge of real property, and no capital, his only alternatives are (1) “bluff” the homeowner into thinking he has the money and intent to close the purchase himself and or convince the homeowner he has an extensive list of cash ready interested buyers (“partners”) with whom he’s done dozens of prior deals or (2) pack up shop, write off the money invested in mentoring to a worthless investment, and decide IF real estate is right for home.  

Personally I think it depends on the type of investing opportunities you're looking for and where or why we are seeing an increase in market activity.