There are a handful of gulf front complexes that still cash flow positively but you need to be very careful as to which complex you choose as not all complexes and especially HOA's are created or managed equally. 

If you think you want to try syndications, read The Hands-Off Investor by @Brian Burke before you do anything.

I've recently stared getting interested in real estate investment and I'm trying to read or grab every opportunity I can get my hands on.

In general hands off ADU additions cost more than the value that they add.Have you looked into what the garage could rent for as a garage?  

REI Hub is the best, hands down, IMO.

I received wire transfer instructions to a credit union in Utah with a totally different account name than the company.

Therefore, transferring our jointly owned investment property into my SMLLC would not trigger a due-on-sale clause?

that was not a method that Armando taught in the seminars I attended these were strickly how to find BRRR props and rehab them and then resell or refi and keep.. the Markets we worked were Vegas and Orlando and Frankly those investors who actually bought property doubled their money or more with the deals i funded for them and they bought on their own it was 2011 to 2013 which as we know was a prime buying time and had to hand it to Armando he picked two of the best Markets.. 

If you wholesale, and there is only 1 deed transfer with a gap fee going to the wholesaler, that's ok in NJ.

I’ve seen folks panic and act like they’re about to be stuck holding a ticking time bomb, but if you structure the contract properly, give yourself a decent inspection or feasibility period, and understand local investor demand, you’ll rarely end up empty-handed.