I'm using my workout time to educate myself daily and feel overwhelmed, but excited to get going.

Real estate is NOT a passive investment and requires lots of analysis and education.

While sophistication of your equity partners (private money lenders) will vary between residential and commercial, the principle of raising private capital is the same.You need to develop your own system which allows a constant stream of PML even when you don't need the funds and/or don't have an active deal under contract.For example; I raise private capital by offering free educational workshops for people with self-directed IRAs.

Education standards must be raised so that students actually use their heads for something besides hat racks (allowing them to actually earn a living) and have ready access to birth control (all types of) so that some mistake doesn’t derail one’s entire life.Slow down immigration, too.

That's not everyone - some legitimate players may just be short on cash because of projects (I've been there) - but it is a lot of people. 

My plan is to diversify my syndications by finding similar players in other good locations.

Is there any form of education you could recommend?

It's a free education. 

I also recommend you start looking for a professional property manager, at least until you educate yourself enough to run this solo.

Regarding selling these, there is a mortgage note forum here that you can learn to see who the players are in the space.