Part of the motivation for congress writing Dodd Frank was to clamp down on the investors offering preditory terms re  rent to own and seller financing and that view has carried into craigslist rent to own adds and you say zillow. 

Lots of medical in KC - hospitals, medical school, etc.

I will start from the offer stage. 

However, full site visits, though more expensive, maximize tax savings by capturing every depreciable asset and offer better audit protection.While online studies may be suitable for simpler properties, full site visits are ideal for complex or high-value properties.

In speaking with our insurance agent, we decided not to make an offer.

The owner didn't have to deal with any of it, as we offered to take care of it for her.

Unless you are someone who is going to take advantage of the leverage offered in an FHA loan, I am generally in favor of purchasing investment real estate in an LLC.  

Traditional bank loans can be slow and have strict requirements, while hard money and private lending seem to offer more flexibility.For those who’ve secured funding before, what’s been your experience?

Unfortunately, I’ve run into a major issue: I received a Stop Work Notice on my property in Covington, GA, because I didn’t have the proper permits for the renovations.I want to resolve this as quickly and smoothly as possible without jeopardizing the project.Can anyone offer advice or share their experience with:1.How to address the Stop Work Notice with the local authorities?

Augusta indeed offers great potential with a strong rental market driven by factors such as population growth and a stable job market.