Not knocking the app, just not cost effective with several other options/ alternatives to to choose from. 

If the alternative is wait 5 years for a down payment on something you don’t live in, you stand to likely gain substantially by moving on this decision now and collecting rent, principal pay down, appreciation, and tax benefits in those 5 years.  

But when you are trying to compare how to spend money versus non-real estate alternatives like stocks and make sure the juice is worth the squeeze, IMO you want to do a proper underwriting. 

However, alternative financing options come with higher costs and risks, so weigh the pros and cons before using them.Good luck!

The only "alternative" site - if you could even call it that - that has yielded a tenant for us was apartments.com.

However, there is such a thing as a self-directed solo 401k plan which is very popular for those who are self employed.Following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k Similarities Both were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions;Both are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(m); andNeither may be invested in your own business.  

Alternative finance or rent strategies can also present improved cash flow.  

Research selling under a Land Contract or Structured Installment Sale- It's an alternative to a 1031 exchange that investors use to delay the tax man.   

Conservative LTV first trust deeds are currently paying over 9%  and generate good cash flow when buying doesn’t make sense.Yes that´s another wonderful alternative, I invest in notes as well, got no tenants & no toilets and with those interest rates a return, where I don´t need to buy real estate for cashflow.

@Forest WuBroker dealers search you will want to find those investing in alternative investmentsHappy to send you a list