I have participated in a syndication as a limited partner, but want to branch out into private lending, loans of one year or less. 

Just do a search.As much as I love saving money, stick with one of those real PM software if instead of these "banks" offering add-on accounting for free.

I have two roommates in one of the units, both of whom are in the military.

As Bill suggested, one way to handle this could be for your parents to pay you as a contractor.

Find one thing you can do rn to achieve that first goal. 

  $98,000 cash has been put into the properties (one duplex, one 5-plex, one 4 bed single family...three total properties)

As your real estate empire grows, consolidating loans into one could offer better terms and streamline management.Overall, your method of buying, living, and then converting properties into rentals is a strong, scalable strategy for building wealth. 

Have 4 SHF, 2 Boats, Several cars and an Umbrella and they cancelled one of my properties due to age.

You do not need a  mentor program, see if you can attend a  few meetups and then do a Joint Venture or equity deal with one of the investors there  and start from there.

I think that my previous contractor most likely did a bad job. maybe i should rebuild the entire shower. but, seems crazy to rebuild shower after remodeling less than one year ago.