If you get a lender on board then you just connect them to your buyers and you have your machine up and running. 

If they opt for our management company, we have an onboarding team that can assist in the set up.

And, you gotta be sure the wife is on board....lol

Yes it will take longer but my wife would be on board and if your wife is happy…..   

We all make the same claims. ie: “premium service”, “hand-picked homes”, homeowner-friendly onboarding”, “leading industry technology”, “24/7 communication or local support”, “maintenance programs”, “hotel quality linen program”, “preferred vendors” … blah blah blah I sell within what I would consider a “traditional” vacation rental market. ie - your vacation rental is likely not in danger of being put out of business by the local government… an example close to home for me - The City of Dallas’s recent STR Ban.

So, here I am, seeking your sage advice: should I jump on board with my buddies and join this mysterious REIG, or should I stick to my own path and keep building my skills solo?

I learned my lesson this past storm here.In a car accident(not the driver, but as a passenger).

I have not signed the lease with the tenant yet, this is before even onboarding him as my tenant

My previously mentioned investors were on board to divide the lot into two and put a duplex on each.

Before you do anything you have to make sure that the wife is on board.