I understand the need for an LLC to separate my personal wealth from my investment properties.

You can invest your SDIRA money into almost anything - from crypto to buying a business. 

Hi @Joseph CheleyI haven't personally encountered a scam lender, and I certainly hope I never do.

My goal is to scale beyond single-family rentals and small multifamily units, and I'm eager to learn how investors break into the larger apartment complex deals—especially using other people’s money or with a low initial investment.I'm open to syndications, joint ventures (JVs), and partnership structures that allow for a lower capital outlay while maximizing potential upside.

Look at private money or hard money for the short term loan on a property in need of rehab.You want to be an RE investor, but the property you currently own has zero leverage.  

Their personality mindset is the following.You could have a syndicator that is an overall crook have one great deal and then take your money on 10 deals that lose big because they are not a person of integrity.

Why spend money if its unnecessary?

., delaying closing, jeopardizing the buyer’s earnest money, losing the property for the buyer by not performing on their end, dangling a low rate then baiting and switching/ hidden fees, basically terrible customer service all around and over-promising then under-delivering).

Sure your SubTo mortgage doesn't show up on your credit report, but you still owe the money you took over when you did the SubTo.

Further, the owner had personally borrower $200,000 from relatives that was overdue.