Starting my LLC, but I already have the properties

[Kyle Meyers]

I've been reading all the posts and blogs about having an LLC in addition to my insurance policies and I thought I should get to it before I get much further into my investing. I have a few questions though that I'm hoping some of you will be able to give me advice on.

1. I already own 2 properties and 3 tax liens in my own name, what would I have to do to transfer these to my new LLC to protect myself from liability? Are there costs to do this?

2. Should my LLC name include my name? I figure it is public information who owns the company so someone could find out, but I have seen that many investors seem to think it is nice to pretend to be a lower level employee of the company. I had been planing to name the company after myself, but now I am starting to rethink that.

3. How would loans work if the properties are going to be held in an LLC, I don't have any loans on the properties currently, but I am looking to finance them when I can so I can continue to invest. Does it change the financing available to me if the properties are in an LLC? I am doing buy and hold rental investing, buying distressed properties and fixing them up to be rentals.

4. Are any new financing opportunities available for me with and LLC? Can I issue bonds or something to fund the business? I would prefer to have as many forms of financing available as possible and I really like the idea of offering a note to an investor with a specified interest rate that I know I can pay than partnering and having someone else have a say in how I run my business. I love getting advice from others, but at the end of the day I want to be able to make the important decisions on my own.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.