@Dennis Boettjer, I will echo's Brian's comment and add: also take a look at some of the threads in the Syndications review forum: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/960I do not mean this as a "here are people to invest in or avoid", as there are some groups going through current issues that, personally, I would qualify as fairly strong syndicators, overall.  

@Charlie Martin Buying under an LLC offers liability protection and separates business finances, but it can complicate financing with higher rates and stricter terms, and lenders may still require a personal guarantee, impacting your DTI.For your first property, consider purchasing in your personal name for better loan terms and transferring it to an LLC later if needed, while using strong umbrella insurance to mitigate risk.

Here’s what I recommend:Cash Investments:No Debt, No Stress: With cash, you avoid third-party control and loan vetting, giving you full control of returns.Equity Builders: Partnering with builders often reduces your property entry cost by up to 20% below market value.Consistent 10% Returns: With an all-cash approach, achieving 10% ROI is realistic and efficient.Financing Strategy:If cash isn’t feasible, consider a balanced financing model:40-50% Down Payment: Keep leverage manageable while maximizing returns.Lower Debt Exposure: A conservative loan-to-value ratio (LTV) reduces risks and keeps returns stable.Work with a Builder: Collaboration with builders can lower acquisition costs and increase your ROI.Key Takeaways:If possible, prioritize cash for simplicity, control, and consistent returns.Financing can work well with a disciplined approach to debt and a strong underwriting process.Partnering with builders offers opportunities to reduce costs and enhance your portfolio’s profitability. 

Holding onto your home as a rental could be wise, given your low mortgage, strong equity, and rental income potential.

Next is to start building a strong network of local contractors, property managers, agents, lenders, and attorneys—they’re key to keeping things moving smoothly.

Always ensure thorough due diligence to protect your capital and achieve strong returns.If you need any support or tailored financing for these strategies, let me know.

It is my strong belief and opinion that most of the people tell folks to find off market deals don’t know how to find off market deals themselves.

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!)

@Anthony Dupre For out-of-state real estate investments, consider creating subsidiary LLCs in each property’s state for liability isolation, owned by a parent LLC in a state like Wyoming or Delaware for anonymity and strong asset protection.

If there is a strong need for solid PMs then you could very well be the #1 PM company in a few years with a strong reputation.