If you are looking for someone to teach you syndication, a common thread is to start a thought leadership platform: podcast, post on LinkedIn, post on BP, create YouTube content.I would say, if you have almost no understanding of what Cap rates are, the basics of underwriting and excel modeling, how to find brokers, etc a mentor can help accelerate your learning.  

So some basic numbers on these homes:Total estimated value of all homes including their primary home: 5.8MTotal remaining loans on homes: ~900kInterest rates on these homes range from low 3’s to mid 4’sSo two questions: 1) Do I need to cash out refi each individual home if I want down payment money or can lenders lend based on the entire portfolio?

I've used such for projects that ran long in the past, while interest rates rose again and again.

Usually the Veteran is using the "Change of Life" circumstance which means they are moving out of state, closer to work, school, or moving into a bigger home for increased family, out of a multifamily into a SFR, it also applies to retirees or disabilty if moving out of a larger home and into a smaller one due to up keep or mibility.Most VA loans have an assumption clause as well.

As to the fixed 30-year mortgages, who in their right mind wants to pay a 7% interest rate for 30 years?

There's a stark difference in tax rates between legal residences (primary residences) and investment properties/second homes. 

They have 529s to use to pay their living expenses and school tuition. 

However, the market has changed in that time period with interest rates changing and homes staying on the market longer and longer.You mentioned the big ticket mechanical items for the house, but it sounds like paint, flooring, kitchen and bathrooms we're mostly untouched.

Its unemployment rate is much lower.

Cheap fix and makes the house so much more comfy year round -> lower turn over rate, and an average turn over costs us about 5k, so well worth to invest in your tenant's comfort.