If I picked the wrong location to post my question about verifying a lender, I am sorry but I am not familiar with the subtleties of each location and promiss to pay closer attention in the future. 

I'm young, healthy, and just want to enjoy a simple and stress free lifestyle. 

Then find software that solves those problems.I see a lot of new investors with fewer than 10 units asking about the best software and my response is for them to use a simple spreadsheet or a free software like TenantCloud or Cozy.

Pick your battles on this one.   

Typical to not know since it's not possible to pick or shop it or anything else.

"build a list/team and then start". you have to start first and then look for people. noone will pick up the phone when you say "i am thinking of buying houses".

Please Break down in simple steps and how does the seller trust you enough to sign a contract?

You should also use a tool that does auto-responding to all inquiries (with the showing schedule and simple pre-qualification questions).

: 3 properties in TX acquired before marriage, recent 1031 exchanges on 2 of these properties but kept them in my name in order to keep it simple and not upset the QI, my wife and I have setup a trust and retitled our primary residence but the TX properties are still in my name and not in any trust, all that I've found on the subject (outside of this thread) is to wait 2-3 years after the 1031 so that the TX properties are 'old and cold' and then retitle them into the trust.

You pick only properties that interest you.