There are several out there that I am aware of that are taxed at rates which are currently lower than ordinary income rates. 

They could self manage for several years, using the rental income, until the next phase of their retirement.If they have a decent amount of financial discipline, they may want to get a HELOC now before they build to get the most favorable rate.

There are several threads about Brad on this site where you may learn all you need to know about him, and perhaps there are similar threads about Rod.

That's the risk in gambling. 

Research the options available, compare their benefits and risks, and decide which approach aligns best with your goals and preferences.House hacking is a great start.

In my opinion, making an offer site unseen is not a risk.

I knew several that tried it, and were able to make decent money in 2021 and 2022, but none were able to scale into 10 houses a year and making enough money to make it worth their while. 

Yes, I have been involved with several "mold" properties that still had high mold levels after remediation.  

Generally speaking, I think tech like this stuff and social media have lowered the barrier to entry, allowing people to take risks they dont fully understand, whether wholesaling. flipping, lending, etc.

And therein lies the risk of high-leverage.