Some of our owners like to buy value add properties and it is up to us to raise rents, rehab properties, and make it a stable asset.

The investment is not the month to month cash flow, it's literally the asset itself.  

One of my favorite authors, Nicholas Nassim Taleb, sold me on the concept of Skin in the Game and holding all pundits accountable for prior predictions, myself included. 

The few rules, may be missing some, to manage STRs:1)Own the listing2) The asset acquisition is the underlying investment.

I don't think the windfall is as big as you say, or why would you care about large downpayments on income-producing assets that would appreciate over time?

I have never invested in syndication.I understand diversification in different asset class (precious metals, real estate stocks etc).

If you violate any of these rules you could blow up your IRA or 401k and the IRS could force you to distribute all of the assets in the IRA or 401k.

It actually works out better when you enjoy the asset yourself as opposed to someone who just wants the money. 

That is what is meant by slow flip except generally you will use borrowed funds to buy distressed property and sell for more with financing--similar to what some used car dealers do but with an appreciating asset instead.

I changed my strategy from 2 years ago of acquiring more doors and "cash flow" to now looking at the asset if I continue to buy.