No syndication experience but there are about a dozen quality RV/Mobile home parks on market in Oregon, several with owner carry options that can be passiv-ish with management in place.

If you got a sight unseen, off market offer it could be a low baller.

And in order to defer all tax you must purchase at least as much as the aggregate net sales price of your properties.These all can seem daunting but in my experience exchanges are more successful than not.

I use Facebook marketplace as my way of marketing my rentals.

I’ve worked with several first-time investors, including out-of-state buyers like yourself, and it’s 100% possible to build a successful short-term rental (STR) business even when you’re managing remotely.

It wouldn’t work in a red hot market like we had a few years ago where everything was selling super fast, but in todays market there isn’t as much urgency to see properties and get offers in immediately.  

There's no real hard and fast way or only 1 way or doing your first 2 points. your subject line suggests you're not looking to go to a large shop like a JLL or a CBRE which honestly I don't blame you those offices are usually pretty bloated.As far as monthly costs, if you are going to individually get a costar or other such license you are probably looking at $500-$1000 a month pretty easy in overhead once you have office dues, mls dues, marketing, etc. 

You'll have better luck analyzing a few properties a month from investors, wholesalers and realtors that can find you off market deals.

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I would recommend you focus on a couple neighborhoods that you would like to live in; and familiarize yourself with that market.