I'm seeking recommendations for types of businesses either to encourage/court or to consider myself or with a partner.

I have always personally shown the rental units to prospective tenants but am not always available. 

In general, this forces the person inheriting the property to sell.  

Also how do you find lenders so that one can invest without their own personal money.

But there are a couple of investors in there that will answer all the questions you may have into how to get started, how to maximize your profits, how to save on taxes, and it just encourages you to buy in the Real Estate Asset.

The agent in Columbus was encouraging of buying long term rentals in C neighborhoods while the agent in Raleigh was promoting short term rentals in B areas in Raleigh and Durham.

Not only that, partner with experienced investors who can partner with you on these deals- Usually it's a personal preference on which market to choose.

I wanted to ask the forum to hear personal experiences from those who have managed flips remotely themselves without a GC and how it went?

Personally, I would get the duplex.

Investing in one asset class and 3 syndicators is like investing in delta, United and American AirlinesIf that asset class has a funk, then so do you.This is a personal preference for you - but owning real estate - especially a str is like running a new business and is not passive