Once you have grown to the point where you are beyond house hacking and are purchasing for pure investment, not a place to live, then you can really start using the LLC or other strategies.   

I know people that do great with $150k homes but also $650k homes each with different strategies but I do believe in the Golden Rule, location x 3. 

Great tools that get updated regularly.I am on the lending side of things and would be happy to hop on a call with you anytime to discuss financial strategies and help answer any questions you may have about nearly any loan product available to help you on your journey, even if they are not products my capital partners offer.We are all here to help you learn and grow.

My other question is what is a good asset protection strategy for RE investments ?

there are of course more creative strategies to reduce that up front outlay, or recoup your capital, like, say, the BRRRR method. but they are time and energy intensive and certainly not hands-off. 

Very few analyze the ROI of their efforts and adjust their strategy of achieving their goals at each meeting.

Great tools that get updated regularly.I am on the lending side of things and would be happy to hop on a call with you anytime to discuss financial strategies and help answer any questions you may have about nearly any loan product available to help you on your journey, even if they are not products my capital partners offer.We are all here to help you learn and grow.

I can see the misunderstanding here, but I still don't think the strategy will bear fruit over time.

Or are there other strategies to get the properties in front of investors?

I have changed my rental strategy to short-term rentals and co-living (rent by room) to allow for more cash flow.