The goal is to provide safe affordable housing at market price, and if residents don't pay, you have the ability to get a judgment within thirty days.

We can “split hairs” on this topic, but let’s just accept that our different experiences have produced a somewhat differing view.  

Tax benefits are great, and the ability to extract equity without selling is very beneficial when trying to scale.You don't have to BRRRR, you an always buy an apartment, fix it and flip it.

It’s a tried-and-true way to build long-term wealth, with tax benefits like depreciation and the ability to leverage financing.

You are just starting out. you want to invest out of state, not locally.You want to skirt/evade the law.You want to engage in a rent model that requires a hands on referee at all times, remotely.You want a rent model that has strangers living with each other, raping/murdering/stealing from/harassing each other, without any ability to intervene.  

@Jason Fitzwater for me, it was personal use (limited) and the ability to go up on a weekend and tackle smaller projects.

As I said in in the intro, it was not a commentary on their ability as agents, just on how they are presenting themselves in the forums.

Negative cash flow will significantly stunt your ability to scale.

Therefore whether its a "cash" or financed transaction, it shouldn't matter for the seller unless the seller doesn't want to deal with the financing contingencies/feels a buyer who is reliant on financing will be a risker transaction or they are a wholesaler in which many times complicates the ability to utilize financing. 

Private money lending offers the ability to structure deals in ways traditional lenders won’t, such as faster closings and tailored terms like interest-only payments or balloon payments.