You can definitely do it but you're going to want to find a mentor you can trust to help you and to make sure you're doing everything properly.

Hello David - I'm considering that the original posts are a year old, not sure if you'll get any bites from previous posters, but I did see your post so I'll respond :) I don't run FB Ads as an investor, but Digital Marketing is what I do for a living so I can tell you that online marketing CAN work when done properly, and Facebook isn't the only way to get leads.

When done properly, these can be very safe: closer to a bond than a typical real estate investment.

If you decide to look out of state let me know, you do need to know about potential hurdles to set yourself up properly.

Hard to say without knowing your budget, skills, and goals.If you are wanting us to randomly throw out effective strategies, here is one ... if LA proper is too expensive and too competitive for you, then go East young man ...

You Can ask that the dog has proper proof of vaccinations,, and you could ask that they carry additional insurance for their pet and proof of that.. 

Seller can terminate the month to month agreement with proper notice and deliver the property to you at closing with one unit vacant or no deal.Obviously this seller isn't serious about selling.

Talk with your lawyer to set it up properly.

I quickly learned it's a process and with the proper focus and commitment you can accelerate the learning curve but still have much more room to grow. 

If he has a rental agreement now with his brother, you'd have to honor that till the end of the lease term,, otherwise, if you permitted him to stay it would automatically be a month to month and you'd be required to give proper notice..