Basically 6 new members were grouped together without any real reason and instructed to mastermind.

Following Sean’s instruction, I signed up for Google Ads.

Yes, @Bill B. has been exceptionally instructive!

They will supposedly first pay you back your initial earnest money with interest within four weeks of signing their NEW RELEASE AGREEMENTS as a show of good faith if you get in touch with their attorney (send me a private message so I can send you instructions to get in contact with their attorney), and then the remaining outstanding deposit with interest within two months after that.

Do I simply instruct my SDIRA custodian to move it back? 

It is written in my application instructions. 

I transferred the money via EFT (the transfer instructions had no reference to Lendbase - red flag), and asked for a receipt, but was told that their customers rarely ask for a receipt. 

The deed restriction forms and recordation instructions will be provided by the Planning Division.”

As a result, this isn’t the kind of market that attracts top-tier PM talent.Your best solution might be to either:1.Take on self-management if possible (and if you’re willing to put in the time/effort).2.Find an individual you can trust to handle these properties, set up very specific instructions and processes, micro-manage them initially to ensure standards are met, and compensate them well to make it worth their while.This approach requires more oversight on your part but can yield better results in markets like this.

No offense, but telling people "that's not a good way to do it" and nothing more seems like a little league coach who tells his players "you're doing it wrong" but then doesn't give instruction of how to do it better.