But when listing my rentals in DFW, I've been quoted flat rates by several R/E agents.

Today's math is 10-15% down, and re-house hack every 3-7 years.In italics, this is a fine goal but be realistic.

It also is helpful to have a California LLC in case you ever sell that property and move into another state so that you do not need to form a new LLC altogether with new operating agreement, just re-register in the new state as a new foreign LLC.

Don't be in rush to buy RE unless you narrow down your location and have a buy [box] ready.

Quote from @Bruce Schussler: A lot of Podcasts and Youtuber's say to cash-out refinance to keep rents balanced with payment; (PITI) then use those funds strategically to re-invest either in more real estate or just put into a high interest bearing account or money market account...Here's some of my thoughts and comparisons;Cash-out refinance with new loan so rents balance with payment:- The cash-out refinance is 100% tax free- The funds can be put into a money-market account off-setting a portion of the interest charge of loan- The loan balance gets eventually destroyed by inflation- The liquid cash eventually gets destroyed by inflation - The interest on the new loan can be deducted from the rent income- The refinance costs are 3-4% of the total- There is less equity in the property and LLC that can be attached in case of a lawsuit- The break-even on cash-out refinance with current interest costs on the new loan is around 12 years Vs.Paid-off property with positive cash flow:- The positive rent income is 100% taxable minus only depreciation and property tax- There is more equity in the property and LLC that can be attached with a lawsuit- The break even is not until after 12 years at today's interest rates- There is a rate risk in today's inflationary environment where interest rates on bonds keep rising*It appears to me that the cash-out refi is in the best interest for a property investor; (Dave Ramsey would strongly disagree!)

I am supposed to enter the agreement with an LLC and I am wondering if I would be able to re-purpose an LLC that we set up in Ohio earlier this year but never did anything with.

This must be very unfortunate for the investors because they had only sourced 70% debt so 30% of the equity from investors went poof..Re: threat of legal letter, personally I would post that online and say "wow, see the response I finally get"...

***To ALL my RE friends, lenders, wholesalers, closing attorneys etc (Metro Atlanta so far)***If you have ANY current or past deals with any of these names, let me know! 

Love that you have been in the RE game for so long!

Re trash, you may have to pay someone to take the cans to the curb for you, as you can't expect guests to do that.