However, I've never bit off on the rational of getting a mortgage to save on taxes.

I am hoping more rational minds will prevail. 

Only rational can calculate from your numbers is a GRM which comes out to about 6.94 I would need more info but the amount they’re asking, and the rents provided sound like slim margins.

Dev Paul based on what multiple people have said on your post, you need to take a serious look in the mirror and ask yourself why it’s even rational to consider investing in “If it moves we tax it and if we don’t tax it yet we probably eventually will” People’s Republic of California!

Talk with a lawyer... tell them to have their lawyer talk to your lawyer ( sometimes that calms them down or opens them up to be more rational...?)

So I can make a more rational decision. 

Rationalization is the most expensive word in a REI vocabulary. 

Depending on the rent to cost ration on the property, you could have a cash flowing property with 25% equity already baked in for ~$10k. 

However if sellers, as a rational and critical humans motivated only by maximizing utility, are willing to pay that amount, one cannot blame an agent for accepting such generosity.  

There was sacrifice back home, through rationing and people worked well over 60 hours a week supporting the war effort without complaining.