If want passive just buy stocks or class A lower leverage multifamily which is easy to self manage. 

However, we are taking over from a PM to self-manage and are inheriting the current setup.Our biggest concern is that this first communication from the tenant was a sob story asking for $500 back/off rent.

I highly suggest you use our marketplaces to find trusted, investor-friendly team members: Tax Pro finder: https://www.biggerpockets.com/business/finder/tax-and-financ...Lender finder: https://www.biggerpockets.com/business/finder/lendersProperty manager finder (if you go that route and don't self manage): https://www.biggerpockets.com/business/finder/property-manag...

Although we could continue to add to our Self Storage investments in the US.  

Quote from @Dominic Mazzarella: Quote from @Cody Maxwell: I currently am building spec homes in a rural area in Colorado and have been self funding the spec builds.

Whether that is most contractors, hiring an engineer, or getting self-educated.

Portfolio Owners to become completely self-running in the very near future.

We would do a Self-Storage location with containers subject to zoning.

Admittedly, they seem a bit sketchy,My question would be, for a person such as my self, how does one go about vetting these syndicates?  

I'm looking at Class B properties in up-and-coming neighborhoods and plan to self-manage once I relocate.