However, I saw enough that I believe that the information available is so imperfect and subject to interpretation that large losses would be an inevitable part of the program, as well as large gains.  

With new programs opening here, there will definitely be an influx of new residents.

My wife and I did our own taxes using some program (I don't think it was TurboTax, but maybe.)

Personally I think this is where a lot of sale lease back programs fail the seller.

The pocket thing seems nice as long as you could control who moves in and who does not move in. 

This is something I try to live by and teach my kids if I can - "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.

In many cases bigger banks or lenders have specific programs that cater to first time home buyers and investors. 

At least we don’t have rent control and it’s in the IL constitution that rent control is illegal otherwise Chicago would for sure have it by now.

You have zero control over the stock market, whereas when you do private lending, you have significantly higher control and contractually guaranteed return on your money.

That's unusual and it would be very difficult to find a passive investment like that.Also direct control means I know exactly what's going on.