Go search the topic "Lifestyle Asset University" here on Bigger Pockets and you will see a longer thread with a lot of opinions (most are not members) but still worth a read as there are a half a dozen paid members from our group who have commented on that thread.We were formerly called Lifestyle Asset University, but I didn't realize that you couldn't use the word University in your company name here in Utah so we changed our name to Vodyssey. 

It’s impressive to see how that mindset shift has paid off!

Borrower has the 3% loan in place for the duration, and 14% investor can be paid off with increased rent in say 18 months.  

Private loan that I paid when the sale was finalized.

The title company cannot find a release for the loan from 1998 and says they need proof from the seller that it was paid.

As they are getting paid to provide a service.

It's understandable to think a paid off property will "make more $" but it's just not true.

At the end of the day, 99% of sellers and brokers only care about your surety to close (I leave out 1% that might care about HOW you operate your deals, regardless of price paid).The fact that you have never closed a large transaction AND are not providing all your proof of funds up front and/or talking with brokers about where the money is coming from, will give them some trepidation.  

Private loan that I paid when the sale was finalized.

I did a "blind" assessment where I paid/reimbursed a close family friend to go in as a guest because there were a lot of details I wasn't privy to- and wanted to understand (the whole experience and process from the guest perspective from the initial inquiry, emails, etc.).They shared the email communications (some of which was glitchy or not quite as good as what I'd expect, or told me of delays in receiving responses).