Part of it is customer service.

Theyre refusing to let me back out and their customer service team is a joke.

Quote from @Glen Wiley:and for some people going from punching a keyboard and sipping Starbucks, to changing dirty sheets, cleaning other people's toilets, and putting up with all the customer service craziness is not as fun as it looks on TV.

In 2008 when the last bubble burst, the multiple door investors who overleveraged against equity, were my best customers.

Two things keep tenants long term - (1) great customer service, and (2) competitive rents.It sounds like you do a great job of taking care of your properties and the needs of your tenants, so as long as you’re not noticeably higher in rent to your competition you should always be pursuing rent increases.

I've never seen a dresser and thought, "What a stylish, thoughtful streamlined piece of useful furniture." 

Sorry to hear about this and it's definitely important to watch out for Ponzi schemes.At the same time: many syndications require an investor to sign an NDA to protect their confidential techniques, sources, customer lists etc. from competitors who could damage them otherwise.

Since you are new at this , just to let you know , the subs are going to charge you retail , just like any other customer , you are not an established contractor , they will see right thru you if you try to pretend . 

Otherwise every flip would be full of custom detail every buyer would want.

With custom homes, the customer typically finances the entire project from start to finish in my market. 1.