This sounds like you need an attorney to do this.

For others that don't do this day to day, it may not be so basic.We use FINDIGS.

- Any lessons learned or best practices you’d recommend for someone leaning toward this approach?

This works if you are handy.

Carl, Sorry to hear about this.. especially while you're away I'm sure is not a good feeling. 

You can't decide which one to choose based on the minimal information you provided.

I have 100k in equity in this house and plan on using a home equity loan to get about 65k in equity out as a down payment for my next primary residence.

Take this example and remove the LLC as a part of this conversation for simplicity.

https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news/study-reveals-....Not sure BP will allow that link to post, if not just google " 10000 saved using a broker vs direct lender" and you can find the article.On the flip side, there are some banks and credit unions that could offer products that they do not allow to be brokered.

did you wire the money to  him and have that information?