Do you have any recommendations for specific private lenders offering 30 year fixed mortgages with an LLC as the borrowing entity?

There are many facets and I would recommend to absorb all elements of investing and not just what pertains to your specific goals.

Specifically with children and obviously drinking.

Unless this syndications is specific for a single deal that isn't going anywhere.

I don't in general its necessary to move to a specific market.Having said that, while I think there are always deals in ANY market, right now Dallas is getting very tight. 

There are 2 websites that you should check out 1 is realestateexpress.com and the other is prepagent.com both are great websites but I personally like prepagent.com better I feel like they have more to offer and for a cheaper price and with prepagent you can select the state you want to get your license in and they will formulate the course specifically for your state.

Just before posting my message, I had filled out a form to contact a real estate lawyer that handles landlord/tenant issues so I'll definitely sit down with them as soon as possible and add on specifically what you describe to see if that is legal and if it is advisable for the state of AZ.

I have a specific question about entering transactions.

So, I can search specifically for shortsales or eliminate them from my search.

Give me your specific criteria and I can make some recommendations.Thanks