Maybe some CPA's can weigh in on this, but I believe if you get an interest rate that is significantly below "going rate" the seller would have gift taxes they would be liable for.

If the property came with kitchen and laundry appliances, then the current market value of those appliances (thrift shop value) can be subtracted from your depreciation basis and depreciated separately as personal property on a five year schedule.  

If they get into a scrap and he leaves, or gets put out, you could simply lock up shop and put the burden on her to go to court to force you to recognize her de facto residency, rather than you trying to figure out where he went and whether you can get any money from her. 

The education is just so you know when they're actually doing a good job or just blowing smoke.To get an education, look through the free AdWords certification material.To find a pro, shoot for something more than just a one-man shop (you won't get the attention you pay for most of the time), make sure they have experience in real estate, and get and check references, etc.Learn to use conversion tracking effectively (a real pro can show you how to do this... if they don't, next.)Make sure to map your leads back to reported "conversions" - some disparity is normal, but if it's off in a big way, that's a red flag you'll want to look into.Learn to ask good, performance-oriented questions of you manager.

3) we actually know someone who wanted to bring their dog shopping and to restaurants, so they asked their Dr. to write a letter saying the "needed" the dog (i.e. it was a service animal) so i doubt this is really a service animal, but can we ask for proof that the dog is in fact a service animal?

They were offing no origination fees and he shops around for the cheapest title insurance available too. 

Shop around, but target your shopping to lenders that are targeting your strategy.

situation: Friend is considering giving another friend a house, they have no family relation (but are close like family-obviously) ..... before proceeding they're both asking if there is a gift tax or any tax implications that the new owner will 'inherit' with this gift?  

Like I said, my gift to the boards is to help folks think and rationalize around the asset class.  

If you can't do hard money, you could go to Simon mall every day for ten days and buy $5k in gift cards.