Let me add some new wisdom to this.Try not to see social media as "just another channel to try my luck".It is not a separate thing, especially doing SEO or paying for ads.When it comes to lead generation, it is not (just) about generating that lead.

Ahshar Sylvestre Code violations are a great source of lead generation.

A single property is simpler to manage, carries lower financial risk, and offers streamlined tax reporting but may generate taxable income sooner.

A better solution, in my opinion, is not to rely on wholesalers,  as not only is it a dying breed due to the sheer incompetence they exhibit due to gurus' wrong instructions and teachings, but, wouldn't it be better to generate your own leads through a high performing website?

It can generate sympathy for landlords and may even shame the tenant into leaving. 

A $12.5k mortgage is quite steep and ties up a lot of capital in a primary residence, while renting offers flexibility and allows more of your liquid assets to work toward generating wealth.

Here are a couple of developers you should take a look at Trion Properties, their principal Max Sharkansky posts here on BP, https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/top-5-markets-multifamily-rentals-2019and Feldman Equities out of Tampa (3rd generation real estate family famous for having built the terminals at Chicago O'Hare) who are among the only ones opening up downtown skyrise office buildings to accredited investors.

No pocket listings = agents aren't even calling for new leads anymore, rising interest rate has nothing to do with an agent's ability to generate leads.If you mean multifamily apartments, 5 units and up, some of those agents will know, but not many until you are over 10 units which are more listed by only commercial brokers which I agree do understand seller finance.

I do not see a need for extra cost or tech not all of your guests will appreciate (i.e. older generations).

The goal is legitimate: due to complex tax rules, you have opportunities to game the system by selling some of your investments and intentionally generating either gains or losses.