And the fact that your equity if protected from bankruptcy (amounts very from State to State) is an added benefit. 

The option component gives you the option to buy or sell the option to a buyer.The biggest downside to this arrangement is that you would not retain any of the benefits of ownership (loan paydown, depreciation, etc.).

What benefits come from becoming a RE agent if I only plan to invest? 

As you mention financing purposes, are you stating that because there's a benefit to one over the other, or just that there is a difference? 

You can still benefit from their systems etc, but if you have a good broker and can generate leads you would be ok on your own.Also, if you do join a team do some research.

Hi Walnar,I usually asked my GC to purchase all the materials because he can get a better discount than I do, and in case he purchased a wrong material, he can returned/exchange it easily.When you mention "employee", I'm thinking about W2 employee with benefits.  

Run the numbers and his mortgage would be about half of rent. and you get all the other benefits of owning in a growing area.  

I didn't mean to exclude the financial benefits from my statement, when I said that I wanted to get the property because it was near my house.  

A formal probate would permit an administrator or personal rep to sell the real property asset for the benefit of the estate to generate liquidity, satisfy creditors and cost if administration, and distribute the remaining proceeds to heirs, beneficiaries and/or assignees.

The fourplex and under duplex or triplex) particularly has some benefits in terms of financing.