We are a family of 4 and options like co-living is not viable.

I’m giving serious consideration to converting into a PadSplit.However, I have heard that Fort Worth (the city, Tarrant County, the faceless boogey man…) has issues with PadSplit whereas Dallas County is supportive.I would love to hear about your experiences between the two markets and if Fort Worth can be viable for PadSplit and anything I should be mindful of?

Tenants, "go into Holiday-mode" and start spending disposable income (and racking up their credit cards) on Thanksgiving feasts & trips, Xmas presents & trips, and finally NYE plans.3) Income Tax Refund checks start being received towards the end of February and corresponding, the rental market starts picking up again as tenants payoff their “Holiday Hangovers".4) Spring Fever starts, sometime in April-May, causing both sales & rental markets to start picking up.

I believe this model is archaic and motivates/unmotivates the wrong behaviors. 

Yes, this is a viable strategy, assuming you find enough investors.

Properties don't always have to be distressed to be a viable flip.

Eric,, I think why people go for the fund model is the idea that they are spreading their money into multiple notes being held by the company.. while in theory this is great but as you noted you don't really have any security compared to being the beneficiary of the debt instrument IE debt is in your name. 

I would welcome any feedback on viable 1031 options as well as alternative options that will yield the same or higher long-term returns.

@Jon Taylor, might that be a viable option?

. - For the right people (landlord who wants hands-free ownership but achieve higher than normal LTR rate, and arbitrager who has the skills and extra bandwidth, AND has confidence in their own ability), I think this kind of arbitrage model is a win-win.I'll be operating in the Triangle area.