Now that I'm a more experienced designer in real estate, I would love to customize my kitchen more with different materials, unique tile, and more unique pulls/knobs but having a large, clean kitchen was extremely appealing to me as a first-time buyer 4 years ago.

"Oh the customer insisted on buying the materials, it's not my fault"

I assume you can be taken out by an existing investor or using a broker to find a buyer for your stake if the asset is a good cash-flowing one?

This is not the case- MLS rules and state law apply and the "Flat Fee Broker" must abide by those rules too. 

I am a real estate broker and investor with a small portfolio but hoping to scale up.

These syndication educators teach you underwriting, give you lists of brokers, recommend you increase your social media visibility and are provided techniques and tools to raise capital.

If I really wanted the Avon, Ct house, I would probably be willing to “exchange” this house as part of my down payment, at say a 5% discount after discounting for broker commission.

Since you own a business, you know the importance of being hands-on, but short-term rentals will require a mix of sweat equity and automation, especially for guest turnover and property management (as an investor/broker I've worked with a lot of clients that have done STR, and are now pivoting to MTR). 

I'm also an investor & real estate broker in the CLT area.

Dealing with a mortgage broker and have reached out to my credit union, but looking for suggestions of trusty brokers that the community has used in the past.