I’m brainstorming ideas on how I can market myself to potential mentors in the STR game in order to gain experience.

I agree with the others.

The investors with the most units and most experience could just as likely be in flip flops and a Jimmy Buffett shirt as jeans and a polo.

Well, you can buy little portable washing machines that hook up to your sink- not unlike those freestanding dishwashers.

At the end of the day, whether small or large deals it always comes down to relationships.

I know the larger companies around here were charging up to 25% but it will probably vary no matter where you are at.  

If the cosigner is not contributing funds but is just helping secure the loan, whats a fair way to compensate them?

I've been reading and looking up videos and I'm just not confident yet to pull the trigger on a property.

Do your research on the best in your area.

To avoid going through the same poor experience, keep reading.Even if someone gives you a referral here, do NOT make the mistake of assuming that the PMC will meet your expectations, just because they met the expectations of the referral source.In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.It's often a case of not doing enough research, as they don't know what they don't know!