Should I establish an LLC and close in it at this stage of my investing journey?

I would recommend that you first Identify a strategy and make sure that the market you choose that aligns with it then establish your Core 4 Real Estate Team. 

So would potential tenants look at that and think they wouldn't want to rent the property becasue of that, even with it being in a "nicer well established" neighborhood?

Especially if they are established tenants.

You may also try to stop by your local Bank of the West branch - better than trying to establish a relationship by phone - to see if they offer investment HELOCs in TN.

Identify your investment goals first, then choose a market that aligns with it and establish your Core 4 Real Estate Team.

Through face-to-face interactions, you can establish trust, convey authenticity and leave a lasting impression that transcends digital communication. 

Establishing trust and open communication with a warning can sometimes spark a change within your tenant.If the problem continues despite your efforts to resolve it with a warning, it may be necessary to take legal action to avoid losing out on further rental income.

Possibly riskier because the businesses are less established (of course I must do my proper due diligence.)With my long time horizon before I plan to use the money, it's possible that the higher rate of return for syndications would offset the initial higher tax hit. 

I do recognize the GR is an extreme case and hopefully we do not experience anything similar to GR.So their theory does not match my reality as someone who actually had well established STRs at the GR.I suggest you be leery of people who present theories without any experience related to their theory.