Since an executor/personal representative has not been appointed by the court and no Trust is in place, there is no one who can sign for the deceased. 

You’ll want to have your numbers in order—this means understanding how much the property could sell for, what repairs might be needed, and what kind of offer makes sense for you.When you do contact the homeowner, be upfront and personable.

Quicker, less invasive, less expensive sewer replacement than the standard trenching method.Lessons learned?

It was the concept I mentioned that I just had to learn about.  

At some point after quite some learning and studying I figured out that I do the most of the work and the best person to serve myself.

I personally do not care for black cabinets and black gleam flooring.

There is likely a phone number and persons name that will come up, that you can reference, since he is having bills that arrive to the mailbox and packages to the door with his name on them.You could make it a pre-condition to the seller that he allow a background check on the tenant before closing and your offer is contingent on your approval.Neighbors typically know what's going on in the neighborhood and will know who the guy is and if he is a trouble maker.He probably has a car and a private detective can run the plates.And so on.The information is readily available is the knowledge is worth knowing.

I learned this one from (now disgraced) real estate mentor John BeckWhat John used to do was go to tax auctions, and buy the odd, probably worthless lots nobody wanted.  

Would it be a better idea to invest in a single family home with only my personal capital, or partner with a colleague(s) and go 50/50 or 33/33/33 on a larger multi-unit property?

I own an AirBNB in Denver and I just got a year long request and the person doesn't have any reviews.