What is the real benefit of cash?

[Jessica Wood]

Forgive me if this seems naive, but what is the real benefit of having cash when investing in real estate vs. being able to obtain financing? Specifically 500k-1m of cash. Would it be best to use that to buy a foreclosure? Flip a house? Put 25% down on a 2m apartment building? Lend it out? What would YOU do? (I know this depends on certain goals but mine are pretty much the same as anyone else’s, but mostly cash flow and appreciation.)