Depending on your relationship, they can be easier (or harder)  to deal with than conventional financial intermediaries. 

But you need an intermediary who will have no problem enforcing the leases and who can nip issues in the bud, if just for your own sanity.

@Satinderpal RaiRelevant personal contacts, such as special asset officers at banks, intermediaries, etc. that you developed meaningful, deep relationships with through years of performing as advertised and a track record of closing transactions.Otherwise you buy at retail, with no chance to “broker” or “flip” at a profit.

If they agree to letting the agent have dual agency (representing both sides) then the agents job becomes more of an intermediary as its impossible to negotiate for the best terms on both sides simultaneously.

@Diane Tycangco You need to work with an intermediary and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND working with a real estate tax specialist. 1031s are great but if done improperly you're going to cost yourself a lot in unnecessary tax and EXTREME HEADACHES. 

As a financial intermediary, yes, there are as I represent my share and we exercise due diligence in the process of partnering with one or the other.

So, ultimately, you are the one responsible for ensuring your IRA transactions are within the rules, regardless of which structural approach you choose - custodian held or truly self-directed with the checkbook LLC model.In some cases where the dollar value is lower and the account is being invested in relatively static assets without time-sensitivity or frequency of transactions, a custodian serving as intermediary can be a fine solution. 

All Auction.com is, for the banks, is an intermediary, so they get a cut from the process.

Mortgage brokers, unlike banks do not lend but are intermediaries to other lenders/banks.

I've helped numerous OOS clients coordinate the rehab work and I report back-and-forth as the intermediary, so its definitely a great strategy.You're transitional MFH LTRs that do more than 1-2% CoC will be best found in secondary and tertiary markets - think Fayetteville, High Point, etc.