I've used Furnished Finder exclusively for one year now, and haven't found the need to use anything else (yet!)

Then, before buying anything else, make a list of all the learnings you got from this experience, and then list the systems and policies you'll put in place to ensure you never do this again!

How can you get into a growth mindset if your finances are a mess?

So you're not really comparing apples to apples here.Also, most likely the syndication/crowdfunding deal you are comparing to is a completely different real-estate asset class than single family (i.e. probably multi-family,office, self storage,mobile home parks or something else).

Is there anyone else out there who has dealt with this and is successful?

Unfortunately WF no longer does those HELOCs and I don't know anyone else who will do them for rental properties. 

What did you do other than trust everyone else to make decisions for you?

Lawyer up--anything else is wasting time

Buy them out so you have enough units to pay for staff and whatever else is needed. 

Would love more context here re everyone else’s experiences!