I am not a developer , But down the street from one of my properties is a town house development .

You have one STR, and you want someone to bring all of the money for your second?

This is concerning as they are one of the most experienced and oldest syndicators out there!

Currently one property ready to go and I want to do 30 day plus rental and back fill open days with short term.

Yes, either that or a multi-family next (leaning towards the MF, if I can find a good one).

creating an llc for one home is not necessary  IMO.

We would live in one half, rent the other and move out within a year once we find a better place to call home and then have both sides rented.2) We buy a home in our own names, not in LLC, with cash.3) Once we get jobs we can buy more duplexes in a different LLC, hopefully with a loan using equity from perhaps the other properties?

They are one of the highest premiums when it comes to STR, but also have a very good policy too. 

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned: if the sliding door is broken, call a sliding door specialist.

@Marquez Cadet Haven't used one in a while, but I am currently seeking bird dogs in Eastern PA, DE, NJ and Northern MD and am willing to pay $1000 per closed lead (paid when I close on buying the property).