I also like the idea of having a nicer home, not only for me but for the tenants I could attract.

A private seller will have a hard time attracting enough buyers, so you may get one who low-balls you.  

Location is everything but also being a good host to make it attractive to travelers.

If this happens there may be opportunities.But Wayne is right, if the opening bid is attractive there will be competition.  

Not suggesting you necessarily sell to them but it may give you an idea of what would make your property attractive. 

As far as actual track record/technical merit/history goes, I don't know much more than that--however at the meetup talk they tried to be as conservative with their numbers as possible which I found attractive (as opposed to hyping things up and pretending REI is some overnight venture).I also think Memphis Cash Flow mentioned Marathon property management as a good go-to sister company for managing properties--do you know of others that also reputable?

We likely would have needed the escalation to be a significant amount like $10k, to make it attractive over an all cash offer.

It is a great way for you to stockpile some cash for future investing and to pay down some bills in the meantime so that you can live, and breath, more comfortably on a daily basis. 

They are attracted for different reasons.

Also, being my first deal, the 100% financing is attractive for me, and I'm sure a lot of other rookies who have little to start with.....