As a side note typically I do not use my deferred tax dollars to invest in traditional real estate as the benefits (depreciation etc) are all lost when using a self directed IRA - My guess is build to rent will provide little to no cash flow to build the account - it will all be locked in the property. 

During our tenure, someone tried unsuccessfully once to drill out the locks on our vending machine and coin changer, but nothing too eventful aside from that.

Hardest step in everyone's journey is to pull the trigger on a deal.

In those instances, the title doesn't change hands, thus, the Due on Sale isn't triggered.

I am sure some will do it with phone and e mail etc.. but I suspect they miss the best deals.Just like top wholesalers they have buying agents when a lead comes in that buying agent is over to the house and meeting with the folks ASAP so they can lock it up.. if they are non owner occ then yes this is different but now your talking about investors as sellers different mind set .  

But the answer for everyone may differ.Here are the personal attributes I see in those able to achieve a higher than market ROI, enough higher to be able to “scale”.1- Knowledge of real estate principles, real estate law and real estate finance2- Minimum 3 -5 years full time, or near full time experience directly related to real estate investing3- Ability to utilize technology for increased efficiency, capacity, and accuracy4- Excellent hired legal counsel and excellent hired marketing help5- Established method(s) of obtaining consistently high QUALITY deal flow6- Ability to manage and choose people who are NOT employees: Attorneys, Appraisers, Mortgage Brokers, Real Estate Brokers, Title Companies, Surveyors, Marketing Specialists, Accountants, Contractors, Consultants, Property Managers7- A VERIFIABLE track record of success8- Ability to identify, analyze, and negotiate a deal that can be “worked” for “enhanced” ROI9- Some type of competitive advantage; for example for me it’s my ability to analyze and identify mortgage loans that are actually less risky than all other lenders believe (on the investing in debt side), and on the real property side it’s my ability to analyze”pull the trigger” with LESS information than other investors need,  combined with the ability to pay cash, or raise significant capital almost instantly as well as being able to obtain loans at the lowest prime customer bank rate with no recourse or personal liability.  

My other positive is the money that is generated from taking out the loan can be used now vs. locked away until you are 59 1/2 years. 

Some people seem to get locked in to one place they find, or a place a friend or family member is selling without really evaluating the available market.In a small town in East Texas I would think your biggest risk is a big player coming to town that can absolutely crush a smaller player. 

Often pretty quickly....see something online at 1pm and I'm meeting you there at 2pm to see if we can lock it up before someone else did. 

It would be a shame to rent it long term to someone who can lock in rent control at these depressed renal rates (and then never move out).