(Of course need to compare apples to apples in analyzing REITs vs physical buildings.)The relationship seems to really vary based on the quality.

For example, all people prefer good air quality.

Considering income potential vs purchaser price, both options have attractive qualities. 

Commercial financing (aka not in your personal name) should be around 3.65-5% depending on quality of asset & location.

They are going to focus more on the quality of the deal than anything else. 

In the long run, if you are buying quality assets you probably have nothing to worry about.

It sounds like maybe a slower start, but ultimately will produce higher quality leads.  

Would it apply if we wanted to move 100 miles away and use an FHA loan, but needed the rental income to quality?

Lots of investor agents go to the flat fee firms which have the highest splits but those firms typically don't hold earnest money themselves which is an inconvenience during the deal process and don't have as quality of a reputation online so really depends what you are looking for. 

The quality of the work does not matter if it's from the US or not.