Once you completely research and complete due diligence on a few great syndicators you need only watch for their offerings that fit your goals and objectives.

My object is to appreciate the second property, doing the floors, carpets, and most of the work myself.

As such, while I set leasing objectives for who is qualified (with Section 8 it is primarily criminal background and landlord references), there are also subjective factors that I can only get by leasing myself: do they communicate clearly and when needed, do they arrive to showing on time, do they look me in the eye when speaking, what questions do they ask while walking the property.  

SoBe,I've often considered in researching carwashes with the objective similar to yours - not run the business, but still have the benefits.

So it depends on your objective or risk profile I think

The seller pays the commissions from their side of the deal at closing so what is your objection to having your own Buyers agent who would have a fiduciary responsibility to you?

Our objective has been to make each unit much more presentable primarily by completely repainting and replacing flooring as required-usually a combination of carpet and VPL.

So I don't see your objection to that. 

. - Smokies- emerald coast - forgotten coast- Orlando - North Carolina coast (Topsail island, Oak island etc..)We are planning to make this a business in the coming years but for our first property our main primary objective is strictly cash flow so we can begin scaling as quickly as possible.

Like for a lot of people here house hacking was the gateway/entry into other strategies and objectively the best way to get started in real estate.After my first 2 house hacks, was able to scale up with two traditional airbnbs (1 vacation rental STR & 1 MTR duplex) all thanks to that first house hack domino.Resources:1) House hacking strategy book by Craig Curelop - will get you 70% there as quickly as possible.