First rental property investment question

[Gene Jung]

The mortgage rate for rental property is quite high, and is often higher than rent-to-price ratio, so in terms of capital cost vs. return on capital, it does not make sense to get a mortgage. But mortgate interest can offset rent income (I don't want to pay tax on rental income). Assuming the goal is hedging against inflation; I don't need a positive cashflow, and just want net 0 with some money put into real estate.

Is getting even a small mortgage better than 100% cash buy?