Here are the pros as i see it: easy (no purchase necessary, you know the property), likely prop 13 property tax discount, possibly below current rate loan.  

I’ve learned a lot from BiggerPockets and am eager to apply that knowledge to build relationships with investors looking for great deals.Right now, I’m focused on finding cash buyers who are interested in discounted properties.

Did you buy at a discount or somehow force equity?

Your value is, to provide sellers that don't want to list, with a way to get cash for their house and provide buyers with discounted off-market properties they can buy to make a profit on.I am not saying it is not possible to wholesale from the MLS, but it seriously defeats the purpose.Focus on becoming the person/company that offers the most and best value and you will succeed.

Sounds like this is at a discount.

I have the ability to find properties that all in costs including rehab and purchase would only be 70 to 80% or ARV on properties. due to this I have been trying to find lenders that allow for less down and rehab coverage since the properties are so discounted.

The lender did everything wrong in this situation and now are paying for it.Now they are trying to sell the loan at a slight discount (oh did I say its a 0% interest loan and they jacked up the UPB of the loan instead of adding interest) - again another rookie mistake. 

So you can expect a discount to get to that point..

As an experiment I invested $30k each in the 10 REITs which had (according to average estimate of NAV) the largest discounts from net asset value as per market price).

Quote from @Basit Siddiqi: I personally would not buy real estate with a retirement account.There are just too many headaches that are not worth the potential increased return.Some headaches when it comes to investing in real estate with a retirement account1) LTV values are less and harder to find lenders.2) Potential to sell or partially distibute the property if you have to do a RMD(Required Minimum Distribution)3) If you run out of cash and have to make a major repair, you may be out of luck and have to sell.4) Having to potentially worry about UBTI(Unrelated Business Taxable Income)I would personally invest in stocks/bonds/notes with a retirement account.I buy deals with cash and use a ROTH SDIRA so there are no RMD's.I buy at huge discounts to retail.