It was not comfortable in the LEAST but I was cash flowing and was essentially being paid to live in an appreciating asset.

That is why people describe the commercial space as more of a dog-eat-dog environment.

I've been managing my own 4 properties and feel pretty comfortable doing it but looking to scale soon and would like to be better informed before I move forward.  

I'm not sure what all these negative posts about STR are about, but if you get in the right room with the right people, it'll change how you think on the current STR real estate environment.  

Get out of your comfort zone.

I would ask them how they run their rehab program and you can gauge your comfort level with that. 

I want to start purchasing assets to eventually have enough cash flow to comfortably make it my full time. 

If you have an income of $85,000 with no debt and make a $50,000 down payment, you can comfortably afford around $350,000.You can also speak to a mortgage lender.

I will definitely reach out to the sponsors to see if they will make an exception as I would be more comfortable investing as an individual.

How you do it and your level of comfort with the options, is entirely up to the LLC owner.