Each have their advantages and disadvantages.

I can refine my search (price, area, photos, neighborhood etc) to find the perfect property.What are the advantage/disadvantage using a local real estate agent to find properties for me compare to sites like zillow?

In my particular area, Non-Realtors all have access to the MLS, however, just 45 miles South of me in the Colorado Springs market, you must be a Realtor to gain membership access to that MLS.There are other, more subtle differences, primarily in the areas of education and other minutia, but the above are the differences that I can think of that might matter.BTW - I have NEVER had one client ask me if I was (or was not) a Realtor, which continues to tell me that most clients either don't care, don't understand the differences, or if they do, don't see it as an advantage or disadvantage one way or the other.  

I’m glad to see this thread has progressed so well, but I do have some strong advice for you Ashley: seek out an attorney who is experienced in this as you can quickly get in over your head and create some sort of arrangement that is either incorrect or disadvantageous or possibly even illegal.Keep in mind that once you start taking in outside investors, you’re now under the purview of the SEC securities laws and you don’t want to mess with the SEC, so better to take the advice of an experienced attorney than to follow the advice of a bunch of strangers on a message board.

That puts you at a disadvantage against other buyers that have flexible schedules and can view properties M-S.If you are only casually looking, it's probably okay to only look on the weekends.

A disadvantage to using a mortgage the way you describe is the closing costs, which need to be compared to the cost of hard or private money.

One disadvantage is the industry has become so saturated that returns have been dropping like rocks.

One of the disadvantages is that the property will need to hit certain livability and condition standards so if something needs $60K in reno and major system upgrades, you likely won't be able to finance with a VA loan. 

Wondering what the advantages/disadvantages are of each school of thought.

That said, if every other house in your neighborhood has a 2-car garage and you have none, you'll be at a competitive disadvantage when you sell.$30k for a 2-car garage sounds reasonable.