Unless you somehow manage to increase the ARV of the properties by like 50% each, within a month of purchase or something, and then instantly refinance and move on to the next one, which also appraises 50% higher than purchase almost instantaneously, allowing you to keep the refinance-out train chugging along, I just don't see how this pencils out.Can someone who has a better eye for these things spell this out for me? 

As you also mentioned “if you marry someone that is unwilling to fight it out, you deserve what you get. “ That is a fair statement, but as we both know, there’s some liars out there in the world that will promise to death do us part that will eye the door handle after the second disagreement.. the second disagreement after marriage of course and especially if they’re going to get taken care of financially in a big way for being a quitter. 

Pulling the wool over someone's eyes can happen in any relationship, is not conducive to long-term success, and should be condemned.Your original reply asked for "someone to explain to me how this model truly benefits the property owner".

If his intention was to rip people off, wouldn't it eventually catch up with him and he'd go to jail? 

So I would be suspiciously looking out for "what's the catch?"

Meanwhile, their mom wants to list a house and their friend wants to buy a house at the same time (taking their eye of the ball).

Just keep an eye on interest rates and your ability to cover any cash flow gaps.Consider properties that need a bit of work or up-and-coming neighborhoods for better deals.

Would obviously have preferred to use a third party but this accomplishes exactly what I need - a birds eye view of the profitability each month without have to re-enter operational and tenant data into my own system when the property manager is already tracking this information. 

As mentioned if you're concerned, just keep a close eye on your credit profile during that period!

Plus look for a handy person to take care of any maintenance issues that crop up.You will need to look at each and every room with a critical eye of a guest and not the owner.