They are not typically designed to create a profit for the person running it, although frequently that person does well on the deals that come through the REIA's membership.

A 1031 exchange is only an option if the properties you're selling and the property you're buying are for business use (generally, that means they have to be rental properties, used for your business, or held strictly for appreciation and not used for personal use). 

All transactions involving your IRA must be "arm's length," meaning that you or any other "disqualified person" can't be involved directly or indirectly, and that is not the case as you described above. 

I would like to find a lender who can approve me based on the property and what it will bring in monthly as a rental rather than on my personal finance and credit. 

It could've easily cash-flowed but the age and condition would have been a PM nightmare. 

That person is brokering without a license.

I also personally invest in STR's and own one in Traverse City.

They're all working until at least age 60 and paying lots in federal taxes.

With Amex Business credit cards, you can get 0% interest for up to a year, 2% cash back, and a welcome offer plus high credit limits without affecting your personal credit utilization.

I had another but sold it to free up some capital and improve my personal debt position.