They are an excellent educational resource as well have a great reputation for execution.

I am NOT looking to be a Cardone type investor with thousands of rental properties, to me that seems like hell and just seems like trading one rat race for another.

STR will still offer rental income and you will hopefully have a good CPA who will structure your schedule E correctly for standard deductions and showing a positive net rental. 

He lays out the steps in an executable way!

The other issue is trades for repairs. 

Moreover, this is not to be considered “passive income”, on the contrary, it’s a very hands-on approach to real estate investing and typically should be executed by someone who has a passion for real estate or property management.

It does make sense to trade low performing assets for something better.

I don't know how small claims works in TX, but when I had to chase a deadbeat for unpaid commission in Mass, he kept failing to show for hearings.I was finally able to present my case and evidence to the Magistrate who said I could have both a capias (civil arrest, where the defendant is forcibly brought to court) and an execution (sheriff or constable can seize assets and sell them to satisfy the judgement).What finally got me paid was when I gave him a hard deadline and told him that if I wasn't paid in full by X date at Y time, I was going to have his WIFE (also a named defendant) civilly arrested at work.As you might suspect, that got the deadbeat moving very quickly and yes, I was paid in full.

No big, national, publicly traded banks will do this loan type.

Anything less usually leads to delays, dropping the ball, slips in quality, miscommunication between trades and all sorts of issues.