I think for Grand Rapids you want to target a property that simply isn't suited for an owner occupant who will need a loan in its condition. 

Seems to me like the pieces of the puzzle that you're missing are some of my stronger suits and the things I'm looking for (have no construction partner) are your forte. 

I'm specifically curious for whch neighborhoods best suit young professionals (we are early 30s; couple years before kids).    

Most banks have restrictions and a Clause where the mortgage/loan becomes "Due on Sale".The biggest benefit of going from personal to LLC is to protect your assets against a law suit due to an injury or death by someone renting or using the property.

I've managed C, B and A properties with rent ranging from $500 for a garage apartment up to luxury apartments.

But I made it a point to fly out there and check it out.I was looking at what Luxury simplified was doing on my trip and thought I think I can jump into this as well.

I’m thinking about luxury condos for short term rentals since I’d occasionally want to have a place I can use for myself.With mortgage rates so high and HOA fees for many of these buildings at around $1k a month, it seems like investing in a condo in Miami is more of a game of price speculation.

I want to be in the C-suite and have a big compant badly but at the same time I dont want to have to be working 12 hours a day for the next 30 years.

I've Googled this at length, but I find the information I come across very suspect and doubt that it's best suited for the REI community. 

That region will require some risk mitigation, and would be better suited for a local flipper specializing in those types of properties vs buy and hold OOS IMO.