In my mind, the liability and possibility of harming the seller outweigh the rewards.  

Often times, their approval processes are slow.Credit Unions - Their member structure also subsidizes their financial structure so they can also be a source of low-cost financing.

You also get access to conventional financing. 

As already mentioned, you could sell via seller financing to lower AGI, as all you would have to claim is the payment income - until balloon payment received.Did know an investor that had 14 properties paid off and he moved into one every two years to then sell with the $250k single exemption.

I just had tenants move out of my investment property (duplex) without paying for the last month's rent, and the damage they inflicted onto the property exceeds their security deposit amount. Security deposit will tak...

Despite the guru fed “misinformation” about all these under market price deals, they are actually very rare and require (1) the investor recognizing value that the seller and the rest of the market misses or (2) a seller with a need for an immediate sale and a buyer with the CASH immediately available to conclude a very quick closing usually forgoing inspections, financing, and other contingencies. 

Quote from @James Sills: I am looking at changing careers as soon as possible to something that can help my real estate investing aspirations.

. - We always recommend buying your first rental locally if possible and DIY managing to learn as much as possible before investing OOS.2) Lots of crooks and incompetents in the PMC world:( They both cost you money.- As already stated, you'll have a small portfolio.

its all great on the surface.. but where is the financing coming from for ground up ??? 

They do seem possibly open to seller financing the difference of $172K.