In most investing scenarios, even outside of real estate, as the risk increases, so should your return.

Why do people think this is a way to attract sellers?

This allows me to do a 1031 exchange and get into newer properties with better tax advantages (once I have used up most of the depreciation from the previous rental), and it allows me to never deal with deferred maintenance issues that increase my cost of ownership.

Never mind the fact that there are a whole lot of people looking to buy a property (increasing by the day) to live in themselves.From what I have seen, most MLS listed duplex properties in Denver (and most other properties, too) are at a purchase price that would put you so far away from the 1% goal - it would be impossible to cash flow them now or in the near future. (1% being the rough guide for considering a property, rent/month is 1% of the purchase price of the property).

Let's rounded to $400/mo/unit to simplify the numbers.That is an income of $1600*12/yr from rent ~= $19,200Now, expenses:Maintenance: $9,600/yr (50% rule)Taxes: Around 1% ( lucky New Mexicans): $1,700/yrMortgage Payment ([email protected]%): $763/mo ~= $9,150/yrInsurance: Around $1,000/yrPossible Cashflow per Year: 19200 - 9600 - 1700 - 9150 - 1000 = (-$2,250)A negative cashflow does not look so good, but here are 2 opportunities to increment it:1) Increase rents.

With that said, allowing owners a % of anything you can make over market rent as furnished corporate rental is a unique play that can be used to attract great home owners with GREAT properties (Win/Win). 

Beyond that, I am intrigued by the possibility of building a portfolio of small multifamily properties and generating cash flow to increase my flexibility and time with my two young sons.  

The other part of wholesaling that is a possible red flag is Equity Stripping, AKA Illegal Flipping, this was heavily regulated till a few years ago by lenders, especially M.I. companies, they have relaxed the rules, but was a problem pre and post crash. seeing the increase in this activity seems eerily familiar,  like 2007 all over again. just be careful especially with your license, Disclose Early, Often, and in Writing, My license is too valuable to me to be involved in this type of transaction, so i steer clear. if my entity is on the contract, I am the one closing. period. 

Therefore, you can't sell the home to yourself to increase the tax basis.  

A quick mls search shows the cheapest apartment rented in Framingham that was listed in the last 6 months was rented for 925 and Ashland $975 so it looks like you have room to increase rents if your building is in decent shape.