Because not everyone is luckily enough or experienced enough to have private money available, so you play the hand you are dealt. 

South King still benefits from Seattle's growth but Pierce County doesn't benefit as much as it's a bit farther away from Seattle and the Eastside.Pierce and Thurston counties generally have high cap rates, so those are great cash flow plays if you don't care too much about appreciation.   

Your parenthetical reads to me like you don't want to just borrow the money, but your description doesn't look like your friend would play a management role.  

They play on psychological aspects of the population, they sell the dream.

Just would like a equal playing field.

Would an agent come into play here?

I can tell you Austin is a tough play for cash flow, but I can't explain exactly why, other than the market is very hot.  

Kristine Marie Poe  MS and AL are my most active markets that I play in currently...

It seems that RealCrowd focuses on investments in the $25-$50K minimum, which is where I want to play.

They splash out of steaks, a new grill, etc.And if they win big, they get a new car, etc.If you earn $100k, you spend $100k.People cannot break that cycle of spending everything they have.And despite all these gurus pretending it's easy, this is still a rich man's (and woman) game and it takes money to play this game.