-Legal Protection: A real estate attorney should draft the seller financing agreement to make sure your interests are protected.Final ThoughtsThis might be a pretty awesome first project if you can work out some sort of low-down, seller-financed deal with sweet terms.

I am starting real estate school soon to get my license but here in Florida I was told I can buy as an investor without. 

I know exactly where this duplex is---in Broad Ripple over by Mama Corolla's and the Liter House.John Jacobs Real Estate Investor and Private Money Lender  Indianapolis, IN

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

That is why it is hard to get regular real estate loans on assets valued so low, the cost of the refinance makes it so you are paying higher than they can legally charge you percentage wise.

It also gave me the chance to experiment with short-term rentals before transitioning to a long-term hold, reinforcing my strategy for growing a real estate portfolio.

Quote from @Havital Miltz: Normally you would set the LLC in the state where the property is.You have no tax benefits for setting up an LLC, it is more a protection from lawsuits and going after your personal assets, however not a guarantee....As a husband and wife you do not need to set up a partnership - IRS has special considerations for married couples for self employment, you could also apply that for a rental...Hope that helpsA joint venture is available to any 2 people co-owning real estate for investment purpose as tenant in common  under Proc. 2002-22 (unrelated to marriage) but it can't be owned in an LLC together. 

I know nothing about real estate investment or property tax law.

It’s a low-risk entry into real estate with built-in cash flow potential.

Also make sure to check out @Nathan Brooks' group Bridge Real Estate Investing Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bridgerealestatemeetup/