The author of your second article can't even rationalize his own statements:Let’s say you die before you are able to repay the loan.

I rationalize by saying ''welp not the right kind of tenant'' but in reality if I get 50-75 dms only half that fill out the google form.

:) Golden Rule #2:  Never, under any circumstances, for any reason or rationalization, ever...forget Golden Rule #1.

C'mon man, you are rationalizing.

A wholesaler is a middle man that buys in bulk and sells in smaller quantity.

Of course, it's different but at the core you are the "middle man" between the current and future homeowner. 

I just moved from the Bay Area to Sacramento in order to cut my living expenses in half - so I like to think I haven't completely been inactive (maybe I'm rationalizing this!)

I'll look up more deals on my own to flip, to cut out the middle man.

Just cut out the middle-man. 

Take the bite and pay the taxes for whatever you are removing from your IRA for the down payment on Tax deferred real estate and get rid of the middle man (Financial planner, mutual fund managers, expense ratios, 12b fees, and plan administrators).