Using LLC for property i own in my own name?

[James Elden]

I'm aware of the possibilities for either transferring a property I own in my own name to an LLC or using a land trust to hold title however I'm looking into this more deeply for now while planning to buy an initial property in my own name and start renting it out as soon as possible (I will be getting an umbrella policy). I will be using a property management company and would like to setup an LLC to deal with them and also to use for anything related to my business, for example, I would have a business credit card, mailing address, etc under this LLC. I realize this will not fully protect me and I could be at risk but I don't feel I have enough assets to have to worry at the moment so will rely on my umbrella policy for liability coverage. I'm assuming it is possible for me to setup an LLC that handles the actual renting of the property so it is the entity contracting with the property management company rather than myself directly? I'm curious what the actual mechanism is for this, would I need to draw up a lease to lease the property from myself to my llc so that the llc can then allow the property management company to rent it out? Also any hiring of contractors, etc I would want to have them deal with the LLC rather than myself as a person.

One last question is whether the LLC needs to be in the state that the rental is in or could it be from any state? Thanks for any info.