It ties into your great grandfather’s troubles during the 1932 depression; your grand parents ability to purchase a home in 1953 for $100 down with a VA loan, and your own psychological well being at having to have a percentage of your income going to pay debt each month.However, unless debt is so debilitating to you that it keeps you up at night and inhibits your ability to make rational decisions, the decision to pay off debt early is merely a function of numbers.  

It's a full service banking platform - just like you'd have at any other bank with interest bearing accounts, the ability to set up multiple accounts and sub-accounts, issue virtual credit cards and more.  

@Nia Booker, even though you explained things to the best of your ability I still don't think you quite know what's going on with your situation.

For residents we meet through FF.com or ones from an STR site that want to extend, we offer the ability to do so using leases created by avail.co . 

However, both mobility and technology and the ability of more people to work where they do not live, has grown this niche, as @Dennis Smith has argued.

That seems crazy to me to think thats a bad deal.But what I don't see right now is the ability to get deals at any significant discounts and thats where I'm thinking I may be missing something here. 

You have no ability to make improvements to increase the value (and benefit as the owner); you can't deduct mortgage interest on your taxes as you don't hold the mortgage; and you can't own it while the value rises over time.

I have done this a few times myself and have a few basic recommendations:1) Make sure the seller owns the property free and clear and that it's very clear to both parties whether the arrangement involves a deed of trust or contract for deed2) If a balloon payment is involved, be sure to assess your ability to refinance and make that balloon payment in the future- optional extensions can help manage this risk3) Understand the tax implications if the interest rate is notably above or below market rates4) Get title insurance! 

Using co-hosts might help distribute management tasks, but this can complicate your ability to meet the material participation requirements, especially the 100-hour rule.

Receiving rent while starting the rehab doesn't affect the ability to deduct these expenses, but you cannot deduct them all at once.