If so, how do you do that without giving away the lead for free (e.g. getting taken advantage of)?

This give him the advantage of getting to "try before I buy". 

You could consider taking advantage of a low down payment option of buying local and house hacking to learn the ropes of acquiring/investing in real estate and then slowly branch out to out of state investing if that is something you are interested in.  

Another way insurance companies take advantage is bait and switch.

I would recommend being an honest and decent person and not take advantage of people.

The property management company has been excellent and will continue to take advantage of their services.

The property management company has been excellent and will continue to take advantage of their services.

Always take advantage of any owner financing.

Depends on the State Regulations. 6.Seller SecondsThis is a mortgage issued by the seller to the buyer that is placed in a subordinate or second position to an existing first mortgage from a conventional lender; seller second can be a great incentive to buyers; can help them purchase by putting down less cash-leveraging their assets; second mortgages typically carry a higher interest rate than first mortgages, an advantage for the seller over other investment options; a seller second can open new opportunities for buyers in markets where conventional lenders are tightening their loan to value guidelines and buyers need a way to close the resulting financing gap; lenders who want to limit their exposure may agree to a "Combined Loan to Value" guideline that supports a seller second; seller seconds may help buyers reduce their conventional loan needs below the PMI (private mortgage insurance) level, saving significant dollars per month; seller seconds can also help in larger purchases, reducing the amount buyers would need to borrow conventionally, bringing their remaining loan requirement within reduced rate "jumbo" loan territory; some conventional loans prohibit secondary financing; second loans not disclosed to conventional lenders are illegal.sellers granting a second loan must file a lien on the property. 7.Lease with Option and Lease PurchaseA lease with option to purchase is an agreement that the leasing party can buy (or not buy) the property at lease end for an agreed price; a lease purchase agreement, the leasing party commits to purchasing the property immediately at lease end; the owner agrees to apply a portion of the monthly rent payment toward either the buyer's down payment or closing costs at time of purchase.

@Masa Moromisato All cash investments means you have an advantage at closing fast.