Finding good income generating properties does open up some creative financing opportunities but it's good starting out to stick to a comfort range.

Their are hundreds of stories about how AirBNB left owners out in the cold.https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/fire-prompts-1-million...There is just one article where AirBNB seems to have skirted it's 1m guarantee.

Our plan is to hold long term (10+ years) and likely pay it off in 5-10 years to act as supplemental retirement income which we plan to get to with a couple more properties paid-off in Tulsa eventually.Would you pull the trigger on these two properties based on our goals?

You have 2 limiting factors: lack of consistent W-2 income and minimal capital.

That would go based on the income of the property and your down payment/cash reserves rather than your current income.

Down payment can be higher than primary, but the good thing is that you won't need that much income to qualify because lenders can you 75% of the market rents for the units of the property.

But, for the size of BP forum individuals you will be under Personal Guarantee any ways.  

So while it feels like I’m making the right decision by looking elsewhere, and Phil’s brand is, at best, tarnished to me by this experience, has anyone had legitimate, W-2 income replacing success through Freedom Mentor?

Let me know if you’re interested in coming.

I would suggest for your first acquisition to "house hack" and buy a primary residence that you can get preferred financing on and also make some income on.