People who have money may prefer to seller finance but if someone is retiring they most likely don’t care about a higher sales price they want to avoid the riskYou mention ou have a 100% close rate - then why not just buy it was traditional financing if you really want the deal?

Positive cash flow is desired but that is not my primary goal.

@Dani Beit-Or It's my understanding you can't 1031 exchange a primary residence. 

I'm in the Houston area and looking to list my property as a midterm rental before going the traditional lease route.

I truly cant think of a reason why I would ever go back to traditional renting 

They then did the STR model (with permits) and are able to cashflow a substantial amount.However, this only legally works while it's your primary residence.I've got other friends that used their VA loan to secure the rare plex in Alexandria.

I would never do a commercial loan with shorter amortization and balloon payment. yes lower rates for now, but you have to do a refi at some point and if you do all of your loans on shorter terms, you will not be able to access as much traditional financing potentially.

I do however, have full availability on my HELOC, various credit cards that are offering me 0% balance transfer checks for up to 12 months, and various retirement funds (Roth IRA, traditional 401k, etc.)I'm already a homeowner in SoCal, but I want to buy my first LTR SFR someplace like Cleveland since the price point is attractive.

Down payment can be higher than primary, but the good thing is that you won't need that much income to qualify because lenders can you 75% of the market rents for the units of the property.

We are just getting going..and my only experience is with buying my current and past primary residences!