If you are accredited, you can invest in publicly advertised syndications & deals on crowdfunding platforms, plus private, non-publicly advertised deals. 

It's not directly related to REI, but goes   a long way in explaining how and why platforms like BP as well as others that we use work and the way they have changed life as we know it. 

I want to use BP as a platform to network and learn.

I'd need to come back to that after looking for a processing platform, to see what sort of offers I could make financially viable.

Do you consider doing off-platform transactions when you receive an inquiry from outside Airbnb/HomeAway, etc?

I want to send them a quick email thanking them for their stay and asking them to leave a review since we have none on any platform for our cabin.Do you have a form that you use for this type of message? 

I would suggest connecting with some experts in your area by going to some local meetups or just connecting with them through this platform. 

There are platforms, where you can lend others money.

Hard money lenders stay in business by making smart investments in people, not by gambling their money on anyone who wants to enter the business.Good luck!

So it's a gamble.