I have comfort that their legal team checked off the necessary boxes. 

What is my next step in the process to legalize it?

You’re right—commercial lenders are tightening up their guidelines, and it’s becoming harder to find 10% down on jumbo loans, especially with the current market conditions. 

This was a 0.88% rule (close to 1% rule = I really dislike that guideline now). 

. 🎉 I’m still finalizing things with my lender, but before I move forward, I want to be 100% sure I’m covering all the key steps.Here’s the checklist I’ve put together so far:Home inspection – to catch any hidden issues.Appraisal – to confirm the property’s value matches the offer.Financing contingency – securing my loan approval without surprises.Title search – ensuring there are no liens or legal issues.Seller disclosures – reviewing any known problems upfront.Neighborhood research – making sure the area fits my investment goals.Are there any crucial steps I’m missing or anything you think I should focus on more?

You don't know if they are legal or how well they are built.

Since refinancing and investment income (like rental income) usually aren’t seen as earned income, it likely won’t affect your mom’s survivors' benefits.However, if your mom’s survivors' benefits are based on disability (SSDI), then additional financial or property assets could trigger a review, so you might want to consult a CPA or financial advisor to be sure there are no unintended consequences.This isn't legal advice.

The thing is, emotional support animals aren’t the same as service animals, so they don’t have the same legal protections, but they still get some coverage under housing laws.Now, you can ask for documentation to verify the need for an ESA, but it’s a slippery slope when it comes to denying the request based on your suspicion of the letter. 

Regardless, I was asking if it's legal and savvy to have the income flow through the LLC instead of to me personally. 

If the houses are worth something, you can always sell the tax deeds and avoid the legal costs.