Relocated washer and dryer hookups and water heater to a more desirable location.

Based on the little I know about yours, I would say that syndication has a bit of an advantage since you seem to be focused on (and want to continue to focus on) your YouTube channel/Podcasting.Throwing in a few SFHs or small MFs certainly won't hurt and will create a more balanced portfolio.

The vertical income of flipping is fleeting however buy and holds are a more longterm play.

I was able to have a more personal touch with the HELOC and had a real person to call and talk to in case of any questions. 

So if you want to bring in OPM for smaller deals you'll probably need to do a more simple partnership with a one or two passive investors. 

Using a more realistic example, let's say your $1M property required 15% down w/ another $150k in improvements.

Also, are there any indicators that show that the property would have a more motivated seller like overgrown grass or sideways and driveways or vacant lots?

I'll tell you a more common way to lose your principal.I invested in Illinois Tax Liens through a company called Platinum Investment Properties (Charles Sells).   

For a non institutional firm, hiring is more unstructured and typically hire based on need or they might  use  freelancer asset managers .Given your situation- I would say reaching out to a non institutional sponsor, learning the ropes and working for them is a more reasonable and achievable goal.

Perhaps you can partner on a deal with a more experienced investor that has access to off market/pocket listings.