There's a self-proclaimed Section 8 guru online who claims he hires random property managers through this website called Thumbtack.

So anyone can put together the courses and sell them just like any other RE Guru out there teach their tips and tricks.

The “training” provided by the guru program lacks teaching of real estate principles, real estate finance and real estate law.  

Let me just lead with EXCELLENT customer service.

They did refund my money but it makes me want to strangle any guru that tries to sell me his wares.

The guru your son is learning this technique from is likely not telling your son that the deal will almost certainly encourage your son to get an "off-market" deal from a "wholesaler" who is unlikely to properly disclose the details of the property or encourage an inspection. 

Despite the guru fed “misinformation” about all these under market price deals, they are actually very rare and require (1) the investor recognizing value that the seller and the rest of the market misses or (2) a seller with a need for an immediate sale and a buyer with the CASH immediately available to conclude a very quick closing usually forgoing inspections, financing, and other contingencies. 

This is where you generate cash and you can then invest it in RE - or something else.Most of the guru content was written a decade ago and it just does not apply the same way it did back then.

These guru's pitch get rick quick with no money down, so people "want to be investors" but fail to start because they had unrealistic expectations from day 1.  

@Scott Stamps  I'm skeptical of many of these programs but for sure I'd pass on any 'guru' programs where they are struggling to keep their own deals afloat, as ODC is.