Many are personal friends of mine living just 40 minutes south here in San Diego. 

Additionally, an LLC can make it easier to separate personal and business finances, simplifying tax filings.Quick Tip: Work with a tax advisor to determine whether an LLC is the right structure for your investments.4.

This is my first personal mortgage so I'm trying to learn the game.

I am not sure what type of real estate investing you're considering, but it sounds like, with your family and busy job, you won't have a lot of time to be hands-on or personally involved. 

A sage person who responds often on this forum said, "Airbnb insurance is a profit center for them". 

I personally learned I enjoy local investing in residential properties.

Do you have other collateral, such as another income property or your personal residence (last resort) your seller could record their lien against? 

You must have your personal finances in order before you invest.

Lyons was a family name and I guess my email entry form set up my user name slightly.

For example is a personal loan from a bank is 7.5 % that you could use as a down payment (after its seasoned), and your 401k loan is 4.5% but the 401k is expected to return 7.5% per year the money you save on one end you miss out on the other end basically and if your 401k returns are 20%, then you lose out significantly. 2.