Any other ideas on how to ensure our funds are protected? 

@Karen SmithAs jay mentioned private lending has been around forever and it’s really not on the rise - I think it’s always been a large player in the real estate investment space for short term loans.

The property will be strictly for investment purposes, not a primary residence.I’ve been looking into two potential financing options:Hard Money Lenders (HML) – I’m drawn to this option for its speed in closing, but I know the rates can be higher.DSCR Loans – This seems like a great option for long-term rentals, but I’m unsure if it’s the right fit for my auction property since it might need some rehabbing.I’m also considering purchasing through a land trust or an LLC to add a layer of protection and privacy.So, my questions are:What’s the best way to approach financing for auction properties?

Texas tends to favor landlords in these cases, but follow the legal process exactly—any misstep could delay things.As for protecting against retaliation or property damage, installing security cameras (if you haven’t already) to monitor common areas might be worth it.

Renter's Insurance is a cheap date for the tenant; it protects their security deposit and assets. 

Research led me to a couple of videos of former ND players coming back to build development into the area.

Some people seem to get locked in to one place they find, or a place a friend or family member is selling without really evaluating the available market.In a small town in East Texas I would think your biggest risk is a big player coming to town that can absolutely crush a smaller player. 

Website shows up as not protected domain - and no longer in existence that should say enough 

@Fetch PhoenixI'll add something that may apply....your current policy may already exclude wind and/or fire, which means that you could already be without protection. 

The bottom line is this: Concealment is not asset protection, proper (time consuming and expensive, I know) management, and good, prudent, practices (ditto), WHICH ARE ADHERED TO, and insurance (expensive), are needed for asset protection.