You made the first step in connecting on the largest social network specifically for the Real Estate Investing industry.

Putting your money in the stock market or expecting social security to take care of you seems more risky to me. 

He can get sued for fraud if he knowingly covers a health or safety issue....not sure what the laws are in Illinois, but Alabama is a buyer beware state, so it may be hard to actually win - but sounds like the buyers would have a pretty good case.

The Dodd Frank Act has brought up many issues along the lines of predatory lending.The CFPB outlines the "ability to repay rules" if you are selling with some kind of rent credits on a lease option.If you want to keep total safety in your real estate investing, use a lease and a ROFR (right of first refusal) when you lease.  

I'm also working on setting up my website along with social media.

All this said, I'm brand new in this field and have no idea where to start so I thought, join a social network of people with the same goals as me! 

A pair of 2 pound hammers and a pair of safety glasses,/goggles and you can crack it any where you want. 

Likely it was rotten and removed for safety reasons.

Stock market does not have a one stop shop of free education and social networking like real estate does.

Which means if you fail the inspection you did not care enough to make sure the home you are providing meets basic safety standards, and you thought some how it would not get caught.