The rest bought cash by bringing in partners who brought cash to the closing table.

I cant decide if I want to hire a property management team to rent it out for me or if I want to hire a real estate agent to sell it on a rent to own basis $1000 down $250 per month over 5 years.Is it smart to have BOTH options on the table at the same time and whatever happens first go that route?

Recognize that your partner is bringing the means to the table. 

Next thing you know on your next deal, your seller will look across the table and tell you "I heard what you did for so-and-so and we've been friends for thirty years..."

She finally vacated on day 21 and the per diem used up the entire hold-back, meaning that my buyer was able to keep it.What I found astonishing was that she showed up to the closing table without the slightest idea of where she would live next.  

missed one over a smoke detector that tenant had taken down and set on side-table... it was literally within eye-shot...

I do not spread 50 application form on a table or counter. 

If you lived in it for 1 year and have to move for job related reasons you'll still get 50% of the gain up to those $250/$500K limits.Take the money off the table and look to your next acquisition close to where you're going to reside as you get to know that market.

The market changes, and you've locked them into a selling price that leaves money on the table.

Over time, the interest portion decreases as the loan balance decreases, and the amount applied to principal increases so that the loan is paid off (amortized) in the specified time.amortization scheduleA table which shows how much of each payment will be applied toward principal and how much toward interest over the life of the loan.