game is buying a few high-quality rental properties each year, with seller financing, off-market using a very relationship-oriented approach, and having no competition from other buyers.

The multifamily business is all about relationships after you choose your area (see above) you need to start meeting brokers and lenders. 2.

Markets that are growing in population, jobs, rents, and income - leveraging both demographic and economic fundamentals - all helpful risk mitigation factors- working with syndicators who've either experienced or witnessed deals go south - syndicators who are savvy enough to be conservative in their projections, set aside reserves, have created realistic sensitivity analyses, have good banking relationships in place - investing with these types of syndicators, with a track record through ups and downs, helps to decrease risk.

Only seek to build meaningful relationships with those you seek to emulate.  

Bottom line, there is no relationship between buyer and seller beyond financial.

Property managerAlthough collecting a leasing fee may not seem glamorous, it does put you in the middle of a relationship with potential future buyers and sellers.

There is a lot of trust involved and that is best gained through personal referrals or relationships.

I invest to replace income, build generational wealth, creating an income funnel, and improve the community around meI like the search and the hunt, acquire a great property, and turning it to something great that no one saw otherwiseIP I look for a deal that makes sense that has a good tenant class, good appreciation, and solid returns (8/10% cash/cash)An agent has to have very good market knowledge, understand the local geographical attributes, and has a good relationship with their network

What I would do next if I were you is to speak to some people who invest in both market and ask what their experience as a landlord, property owner, tenant relationships, and growth has been in the last 5 years and figure out what's the best route for you. 

I wouldn't need to squeeze ever dime out of this, I'd just be looking for somthing fair, to learn for the future, and develope business relationships in the process.