You might also meet someone that could be a potential business partner.

Also, almost any kind of loan to an LLC whose business is real estate investment will need to be guaranteed by you anyways.2.

Which will bring plenty of other investors and general business to the area.

Your friends might not fully grasp their financial situation at all.Stash that entire $2k cash flow into your business savings until you have enough in reserve in your business to cover vacancies. 

It is very overwhelming to get into the real estate business with so many people already in the game. 

It is a competitive business and you have to really love hospitality (in my opinion) to get into STR, passive or not. 

I recommend arriving at least 10 minutes early (depending on the event/venue) and bring business cards if you have them.

If you don't want to get your lenders in trouble, pick up a copy of Lend to Live in the BP bookstore for both of you to educate yourself on how to do it the proper way so that it's a true business transaction and not cutting corners just because you know each other personally. 

I am making this my big push, as it is a win-win right now, alongside my property management business.

Let’s just say that this was not a good start to my RE business.