Maybe techniques that anyone can suggest that might give negotiation power in a situation like this?

This is just one technique but keep in mind in this competitive market you will not get any deals unless you’re making a lot of offers.

@Michael Pike first, thanks for the alternate suggestion of TenantCloud.

I think your technique would be to find the niche that is least regulated and park there.

I have $6,000 liquid cash among other retirement accounts with ~$8,000.I could gather all the cash I can and look for a low cost home to BRRRR with my own money coupled with a possible a small alternative loan.

Is it like a "bait and switch" technique or am I overthinking it?

So sure, you're giving the seller some of your upside, but if the alternative is waiting years for cap rates to go up, you might be waiting a while.

You should consider this as well as the other alternatives others have provided for you. 

Alternatively it seems the cards present another barrier, since lower income folks also need to purchase the cards (and likely lose them frequently).

Yes - it will make it more marketable to potential buyers and are a safer alternative in most cases.