On the other hand, you are still financially on the hook for the mortgage AND the people that are attracted to seller financing are more likely to be ones with challenged credit and likely to default. 

past performance is one thing, I’m also interested in the CHARACTER of the sponsor.  

I currently own one duplex in an expensive market in NJ but this PA market has multi family listings for 200-500k which is what has piqued my interest.

Quote from @Jerome Boudreaux: I hear a lot of people mention how powerful the VA loan is and the more people I ask the more I realize no one can give me good in depth answers.

Quote from @Steve Vaughan: I haven't bought into a syndication ,  but I will name drop a couple proven, tested ones I'd consider first if I went that route, if I could even get in /if they had an offering:  @J Scott of Bar Down Investments and @Brian Burke of Praxis CapitalBoth have written excellent books as well as posted and blogged about how to vet sponsors if you want to do further research.   

I've separated out electricity but not water (never heard of sewer being separated) and I've always had separate gas meters on my properties but have separated the heating system on one.

1) I think it’s “funny” that not one news article I ever read for the last 5 years had headlines like “Housing at historical record lows!

Quote from @Andrew Rodriguez: I will be speaking to a local one tomorrow morning and then go from there.  

I have a small portfolio of LTRs as SFH and one 6plex In Arkansas, but have not yet ventured into STRs.

Are you leaning toward one market yet?