I think it is very possible to do a rational assessment of certain markets, and come to the conclusion that a free and clear property provides the best tax advantaged returns and cash flow combination for someone with a certain risk tolerance and viewpoint on the market. 

Contrary to popular belief, cheaper properties with high rent to purchase rations are usually really tough deals to make money on and not really great starter deals. 

And rationalize it based off their behavior and actions, less of their talk and desires.  

When I look into something like this, I find it very hard to rationalize what's going on...

If you approach it rationally and respectfully, there's a good chance he'll see the light.

I understand your argument that everybody is a winner when you have a middleman, but to a flipper, a wholesaler can easily screw him on a much bigger profit.

Investors can then use their experience and profits to transition into other strategies down the line.Here are some real estate investment strategies for beginners to use as a starting point:Wholesaling: This strategy allows investors to act as a middle man between sellers and buyers.

Assignments are often used in flips to hide money the middleman makes.

They are focused, rational and straight forward.

An investor only gets their license in order to avoid the "middle-man", I don't want to have new headache's/middle-men with a broker who expects me to act all their other career agents.