Better financing, more control, don't need as much down, etc.  

My $2000 also covers stuff that inevitably break under normal use - I had to replace a washer $700, a stove $600, a microwave $100, and a grill $400, all  within last 2 years, and paid close to $1000 for various service calls by electricians and HVAC techs and pest control. 

@Ed Lopez what controls do you have over what they decide to do?

I control all the money and pay all the subs directly.. that's how we got in trouble the first time GC not paying subs..

If your DTI is good, you can control a $1M asset for $50k. 

Perhaps the most important of which is that its more predictable and more CONTROLLABLE.

Rent is "paid" when they initiate transfer not when it hits my account because they have no control over the lag time.

We see a lot of success in the suburbs:Purchase: $80k-$130kRent: $1100-$1500 (no rent control in MI)1% rule: .9%-1.4% rule dealsCoc ROI: 5-12%Total ROI: 20-40%Cash flow: $50-$250/door (after all expenses and budgeting for maint, capex, vacancy)Appreciation: 3-10%+ (has been double digit for a decade)Location: C+, B-These numbers are based on the “sweet spot” in Metro Detroit.

I suspect those guys grew to fast and it got out of control..

The property is 2 hours away, but it feels like I’d lose a lot of control.