HELP

[Nick Martin]

Hi everyone! I'm seeking some advice/ input. We're planning to purchase long term rental properties in Tennessee and South Carolina- we're looking in the best school districts, safe neighborhoods, properties with good history and looking for great deals ( looking to pay approx. $65 sq. ft. in a $100 sq. ft. area). My wife and I have picked that location because we plan on "putting down roots" there in the next several years. Currently I am a consultant in the oil field and my sites keep me near the Texas and New Mexico state line. We sold our home in Indiana and purchased a new RV to travel for work. This has allowed us to be nearly debt free while earning $280k/yr. Our goal is to use our income to purchase properties putting half down and financing the remainder on a 10 yr. note so the properties will be self sufficient, afford 10% to a management company while still turning a profit. Most of the duplexes are in the $80,000 range so we can afford to purchase one property each quarter. Also I will be purchasing these properties remotely (from my location) relying solely on pictures and videos. I understand this implies a lot of trust in the realtor and the management company. Any advice, tips, tricks, pointers are greatly appreciated. My accountant tells me the Texas and Nevada series LLCs are the safest, not sure how much truth there is to that statement? The attorney I spoke with said I have to make sure that the States I'm purchasing in recognize a Texas LLC? Also purchasing from out of town I will have to have a registered agent, any recommendations? Is the worth the extra paperwork of an LLC or should I just put the properties into separate land trusts and carry higher insurance? Our short term goal ( 5 yrs. ) is to acquire 20 properties which will give us a sustainable income by age 35.