Having a virtual number has been necessary to allow me to scale and to take some time off occasionally.

Rent-by-the-room, STR or MTR a basement that can be locked off, buy a duplex and rent the other side.

Either way, yes it is a write-off. 

I've got an agent who sends me deals, some of which are off-market, contractors who can do the work, a hard-money lender who seems to offer good terms, and a property management team I trust.

You can only do this if the deal is off-market.

Untill the property is paid off...

I have also placed cash offers on bank owned properties and have been denied or countered dollars under market value. at this point why not buy off MLS, closing with title, less risk. any advice?

Too many people are nervous that it is spying on you, even if I turn off all that so it just sits in storage.So here is a great solution.

Extending Reservations off other platformsCan't recommend AGAINST this enough.

Really great fix and flip off of Rio Grande and Matthew!