What scared in the article is the mentions of personal financial risks, LLCs not really protecting your personal assets, the amount of investors filing bankruptcy , social threats, scams, etc.Is this article over blowing these facts, trying to sell REIT ?

Just type "LLC asset protection insurance" in this forum's search box, and you will see dozens of threads on this topic. 

Have a candid conversation about how he plans to handle representing both sides and ensure you’re protected with things like a solid inspection period and contingencies.

., a one-time reduction) without admitting fault, which might maintain a positive relationship with the tenants while protecting your interests.

Land trusts provide excellent anonymity and then your LLC should provide the protection you want.

Next having a listing agreement actually protects a fiduciary that you may see benifit in having.

I'm really more interested in the protective lien. 

A well written management contract should clearly spell out what is expected of both the PMC and the owner, to PROTECT both and avoid misunderstandings.

You really have to have a game changing product to make it worth larger players to switch.

If piti is $1100 and rents range from $1000 to $1200, conservative underwriting would use the lower of the rent range, we have $1100 rent - $1000 PITI - $120 PM  - $50 (vacancy) - $300 maintenance/cap ex - $50 misc (tax man, asset protection, book keeping, utilities that are not tenant responsibility such as for a slab leak, etc) is about negative $420/month.