I am also looking I only have 6 properties and use a mix of apratments.com, zillow, and QBO but QBO cost so much for the pro per month to have everything automated into it.

J Scott's Book on Flipping Houses has been instrumental for me in getting started in real estate.Are you analytical, by nature? 

I'm a self employed software developer with a full time contact for a company building automated HVAC equipment.

However you decide to start, focus on a PROCESS and AUTOMATING.  

I didn't go into great detail on it as I am not interested in the instrument, but I don't think it was a USDA loan.  

If you don’t like it or deem it a scam, you can stay away from it.It’s an instrument that serves people with a specific payment and investment intention.If you rather have high closing costs and no access to equity, that’s totally your choice.

Syndication is not a DIY area of the law, and there isn't a single document that could be called a "syndication contract" as the offering package generally contains a group of documents, all designed to work together, including required disclosure documents (depending on your investors' financial qualifications), your "investment contract" (which could be an LLC operating agreement, a limited partnership agreement, a JV agreement, a note, or other such instruments, which must be carefully drafted to protect you); a subscription agreement (where the investor basically accepts the risk of investing) and the required federal and state securities notice filings.

Have any of you tried using automation in your rental business? 

Technically, you would also probably need to sign a new mortgage/deed of trust (the actual security instrument...I didn't catch what state you are in).

You will need a security instrument suitable for the state that the subject property is located.