Are some states less risky to own property without LLC?

[James Elden]

I'm a first time real estate investor looking mainly in southeastern states to invest in single family homes and I definitely like the idea of owning a property in an LLC but this seems to present a lot of hurdles to getting a loan. I am originally from California which has a pervasive lawsuit culture and would never invest in California so maybe I'm over-estimating how much I need an LLC in a more business-friendly southern state but I am not sure on this as I'm not a lawyer. I'm wondering if anyone has general advice as far as whether it is less necessary in some states to have an LLC compared to others?