Does anyone know of any companies out there that are reputable and won't scam me? 

This guy is all over Facebook trying to scam people.

Traveling for the past year in Southeast Asia and a bit of Africa has done a good job of getting my guard up against scams, haha.

Don't do it, it's a scam.

I thought I was all set with loan forgiveness based on the original loan origination date, but then I learned that because I consolidated loans a few years after graduating to take advantage of lower rates, the clock restarted.I also learned that the "income based" repayment program is a scam. 

I will look for real estate meet ups on meetups, however most of those things i think are scams by people just teaching you "their" method and you have to buy in.

She declined.Scenario #3)Owner was caught up in predatory lending refinance scam (found online info of a class action lawsuit including the loan), but has left property. 

There are so many free resources and it really is disappointing to me that people try to get new investors to pay for what is in my eyes a scam.

Somebody could move in while you are gone and claim residency, somebody could rent out your place to some unsuspecting family and then you are stuck again. 

Do not attend any seminars that charge money or that will ask you to pay money the vast majority are scams.