You should download the lists of properties, research a few, attend online or person, and learn the basics.

Just a heads up: Windows Defender, the basic one installed on your personal computer, is good enough for personal usage.

is med basically its only use case for filling with new tenants? 

I would also recommend looking at cities close to Greenville, like Anderson, Easley, & Simpsonville as well since Greenville can be competitive unless you are looking at off-market deals.Also the non-occupancy tax would be based on the tax assessed value of the property and not the income it produces.

You basically echoed my internal conversation.

This will give you basic, reliable cash flow, without tearing your hair out.

(In MOST cases) With permitted work, you are required to file an affadavit that the value of the work being done to a FEMA designated Flood Zone property is not worth more than 50% of the assessed value of the home.

That basically leaves you with investors and buyers with let's say special circumstances.

Basically I'm wondering if we should start our own LLC (owning it ourselves, "hiring" out the construction to his other LLC to avoid layering), or can I have his company get the loan and I just sign something showing that I'm providing the cash, am on the hook for the loan, etc? 

And the calculation windows for when interest is assessed would probably surprise most people, it's generally not what one thinks it is so often waiting to that statement does often incur interest charges.