People will want to work with you and then you are in control of negotiating the lending structure. 

I know with conventional financing at closing I'd take "control" of that property and be able to refinance after X amount of months.

I'm all about that hustle until I'm in a position financially to know I can commit to paying someone good money to do a fantastic job doing it the way I want (subtext: I'm a super frugal control freak!)

Investing in a market where you have no knowledge, no control, thousands of miles away, that has less competition and less demand for properties (which is why they are cheaper and appear to cash flow more day one), and where you will be 100% reliant on strangers to make or break your investment for you, with the thought that will somehow be more profitable doesn't sound like a strategy worth pursuing at the moment.

I plan to enter into a deal using my Roth IRA funds which are invested in an LLC with checkbook control.

By deciding that you want to be a passive investor, you're fixing your RETURNS and have no control over TIME. 

All of these may not be triggers for you and me but it may be triggers for other investors.The strategy you had in place is not working -triggerThere were additional costs that the previous owner did not reveal to you -triggerIf you got ripped off by people -triggerIf you partnered with someone and you do not get along or can't agree on nothing - triggerOne of the big employers in the area filed bankruptcy -triggerOne of the big employers in the area decides to move to another city or state -triggerhome owners association is similar to Hitler's gestapo -triggertenants association is unreasonable and troublesomeIf you see another deal that you like better -triggeryou feel the market is going to change -triggerIf the weather changes and suddenly you find that your area is not the same ie drought or flood or mud slide -trigger Insurance increases because of weather change -triggerfound out that the land is contaminated - triggeryou are tired of dealing with the property -triggertenants not paying rent -triggeryou took on more than you can handle -triggerproperty taxes went up -triggergangs in the neighborhood -triggerfamily issues change your priority and you simply cant handle it no more -triggeryour tax abatement has expired - triggertransportation has discontinued in the area -triggerlegislation to put in a new transportation station has been vetoed or approved -triggerthe team (ex contractors, project managers, etc) you tried to put together doesn't work out- triggerillegal activity found on the premises -triggertenants tell you place is haunted and you know someone died on property -triggerdemonic neighborsabundance of pests -triggersink hole formed - triggercess pool discovered -triggerwater contaminationpopulation changeschools accredation changesschools shut downtenants or their family starts shooting at each other or youwrong type of business sets up shop near your property, or they are too close or your comfort. ie gas station or drug dealer or prostitution or cemetery or factorywhatever does not float your boat -trigger

Debt is debt in any manner Leverage should be used in a controlled way So many posts on BP suggest 3.5 percent down processes to be homeowners but nobody advises on how much reserves are needed to deal with maintenance and vacancies.

We use Siamons International 025/326 concrobium mold control.

I always thought the plan was buy enough properties and then start your own PM Company, so you can hire someone to handle all the properties day to day issues but when push comes to shove you still have 100% control of them PLUS you keep all the PM fees.