If I supplement that cash with some money from a HELOC, my buying power will be significantly better. 

As wholesalers and realtors we all know the power of online marketing correct?

This will increase the return above what can be obtained on a passive investment.The flipside of having the power to control everything is that it can be alot of work (and a full-time job if a person is putting in sweat equity).

That means I get access to better deals through their community than investing on my own because they have better negotiation power as a large investment group.  

Hey Freddy, house hacking is a very powerful strategy.

Lithium battery EV is a dead technology.

Talk about how good the schools are, how close to the beaches or other attractions, Size/type of kitchen, ease of maintenance of swimming pool if in place or jet powered swim lane, Covered parking if so, etc. 

Can you do both well at the same time...NO.There are 3 reasons for partners (and these reasons apply to your power team too).  

If so that's a huge win as it could be a lot of cost savings not having to run power or water out there. 

For example in the Reno, NV area there has been a big push for diversification beyond hospitality and now Tesla is building battery packs and the new Semi Truck.