One thing I do is pull up the rate and occupancy chart right off AirBnB and see what the bookings look like.

Rates: 9% to 13% (Most Deals are 11-12%)Terms: up to 36 Months (Most Deals are 6-12 months)Fees: 2-4 points(%) of loan amount paid at closing (Most Deals are 3 points(%))Minimum Loan Amount: $50,000 (For loans less than $250,000 $2,500 minimum fee)Max Loan: 65%-70% of After Repair Value(ARV)100% Rehab Financing Available (Require 20% of purchase price down payment or cross-collateral)Closing Timeframe: 48 Hours - 3 Weeks (Most Deals are 2 Weeks)NO PRIMARY RESIDENCES, NON-OWNER OCCUPIED ONLY, BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL USE ONLY.

. $800/mo can get you a $100k mortgage. 

Even if you purchased your home at the very tip-top of the market before they dropped by 19%, if you would have simply paid your mortgage payments, mowed your yard, and stayed in the house for 6 years (you had to live somewhere during that time), you would have made money on your home...and that was the worst drop recorded.

There's many variables to consider regardless if you lend directly or find a broker to deploy your money. 

The cash flow left over after reserves, my mortgage, and other expenses is the cash flow that I "pay" myself / my business. 

I wouldn't necessarily let go of that 2.5 interest rate.

Because I bought them cheap at tax sales I have no mortgages on them.

30 year mortgages?  

Evaluate prope­rties carefully - cash flow, cap rates, de­mand.