I also pay a 1,000 finders fee for any unlisted property that someone tells me about that I buy.

I believe it is a good practice because in a pinch tenants will pay whichever bill screams the loudest.

You may want to consider this before paying $1-$2k for an appraisal and not have the loan close. 

I'm writing an offer on a property that I'm planning to pay all cash for. 

In my opinion if there is profit to be made why don't you pay a designer to furnish it and turn it over to a property manager and cut out the arbitrager middle man?

With a contract for deed they hold title until you pay the debt off in full. 

You'll either have to have your attorney go through a process (deed theory state) or the court system (lien theory state) to get the property back if they don't pay, but you'll still have to make the payments to your lender.

I use the 2% kickback ones and then pay when due.

How can the Pro be any better and what would make me want to pay more? 

I've got one LTR property that I'm trying to pay off prior to taking any additional risk in the form of loans.