Hello,I am new to the group and want to introduce myself and meet people!

The quality of the people that you allow to live in your property directly impacts your monthly profit and also will arise when the relationship ends. 

Hey Jason, it is funny how people have diffrent opinion about syndication here Personnally I invest via syndication for several years now and never had bad experinece out of it.I did 35+ full cycle and always making good money.Their is always risk in any investement and I think as an investor you need to choose carefully who you are working with and don't be shy to ask for SREO or any track record from those syndicator oout there.good luck investing

You'll likely get a lot of people in the forums promoting mid-west, OH, and the south.

As far as a second/vacation home and STR would you consider MTR to travel nurses/business people?  

Calling around, most people are quoting ARM rates at higher than a 30yr fixed.

Verifying whether people are legitimate owners of real estate?  

This is a grind for sure, but you will thank your future self 5 years down the road when you actually have control of your time (which essentially is the reason people seek financial independence). 

If you look at many newer homes, people have payed to have their floors worn and beaten, you have it for free.

I'll bet she's lying to you so far......and you'll need to carry a pistol when you go meet with the water thieves, people don't like having their water shut off.