But I'm motivated to help turn around the Rust Belt and still make a profit... audience?

Banks are motivated sellers too.

Us late starters, I believe, are more motivated than many of the youngsters out there because the clock is a tickin'.  

Since those have to be owner-occupied if you want those sorts of down payments. 

Heck, I don't have it down pack either, but I'm willing to continue to learn.The question - Do you find people are more skeptical of realtors and their motives when trying to negotiate a deal.

Finally I contacted them through Facebook today and they are extremely motivated to sell. 

Just because someone should be motivated does not mean that they are motivated.

I've found what appears to be a great off market deal from a very motivated seller.

Say you had a four bedroom, wouldn't there be some sort of "manager" you would have to put in place considering all the shared rooms, ie kitchen bathroom living room etc.

That motivation was pretty much gone after about a week; mostly because we did not understand the business and some of the terms used.