While these alternatives may come with higher interest rates, the flexibility they offer such as faster closings and more lenient terms often outweighs the upfront costs, especially in fast-moving markets.For example, hard money loans can give you the ability to close quickly on distressed properties, which traditional banks may take too long to approve.

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.

This add an element of unpredictability.

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.

A lot of these buildings are already filled with renters that have hit their limits on ability to pay.

There is some element of timing when getting pricing. 

Stessa is great if you are an individual and you are just trying to track the income and expenses on your rentals.Unfortunately, for Stessa, they do not have the ability to generate a balance sheet which makes it a no-go for any business.