It's like gambling for them but will want a much higher pref and much higher equity upside from syndicator because of little to no track record.

I would take the gamble that rates will fall on their own over the next 3 years and live with the result. 

In some cases, gross income can include recurring capital gains or unrealized income, winnings from a day of gambling, rental income, and sometimes even interest earned on retirement accounts.

Web sites that have been making recommendations for years suddenly claim it is AI.

Seems like Google doesn't partner with AirBnB like they do VRBO, booking.com, and others so that means my property won't show up as a vacation rental with the "check availability" booking link on google maps or google web search. 

It is not like most paid mentorships I have heard of where it is a one-time pre-recorded web course then a meeting or two per month and thats it, it is a true community.

I could probably continue to source leads by increasing my web presence and some local advertising, someone more local to the area would have a clear advantage, I believe.

Most who gamble to such do not. 

I was hesitant about joining the group because I've never had good luck with forums and web groups.  

And behind the umbrella policy can be a complex web of corporations, LLCs, and trusts to protect you.Asset protection can get very complicated.