Some properties actually lose money each month but gain value through appreciation.

Quote from @Jennie Berger: Thank you both so much for your insight.

Now they want to put the properties into RE Gain Fund, LLC UpREIT (which appears to have been established in 2023). 

US, UK, Australia and other parts of the world are more for "traditional" investing in real estate for capital gain.

My main question is whether it makes more sense to go the seller financing route and pay off the principal in 8–10 years or stick with a standard 30-year loan.My thinking is that the tax deductions from a mortgage wouldn’t outweigh the potential equity I could gain over those 8–10 years.

If you paid under $230k, you’d save $30k in federal capital gains taxes and maybe another $15k or more in state income taxes.

Does anyone have any insight into what these types of businesses are typically looking for in a partner and what I should be doing to make my space a good fit for them? 

Finally, start small, analyze deals, and build a team to guide you as you gain experience.

Gain experience and then scale. 

The more experience earned, you gain insight into comparables, learn neighborhoods, get better and better in determining a real deal from a stinker.Sounds like you earned a little break now!