For foreign investors NYC and San Fran, is one of the safest places to invest.

A person could literally be a convicted child rapist in some foreign country and you wouldn't be able to find out. 

To build your networks, and facilitate choices for your first job (see below) Local industry networks, including local builders exchange, local and regional homebuilders association.

I would love to provide value in exchange for knowledge and experience.

Find local investor groups where you can rub elbows with like-minded people, build relationships, demonstrate some value, prove to them that your invested and not just a dreamer, and then negotiate their mentorship in exchange for something you provide in return.

I am in the process of converting our home to STR for 24 months to qualify for a future 1031 exchange.

How can I help you achieve your goals in exchange for you helping me?)

-They have enough of an understanding of 1031 exchanges and IRAs etc.

@Lorenzo Swinton you could also consider selling them both and using the proceeds to scale up to a larger multi-family property using a 1031 exchange... or like others have said, find a lender that will do a cash out refi and use the proceeds to scale up.

(Annually, bi-annually, when exchanging ownership, etc.)2.