Raising your credit score will get you far better rates personally as well as with private lenders for your LLC. 

Well there is somethings right here and some are off mark IMHO.

However, most of these properties still cash flow well (or enough to cover PITI). 

A well written management contract should clearly spell out what is expected of both the PMC and the owner, to PROTECT both and avoid misunderstandings.

Again, this topic can be discussed AT LENGTH as well so let me know if you want to go further into it.My suggestion to every new investor is to trust your instinct. 

It’s a balancing act of controlling costs while also controlling risk of personal injury to your tenants and property visitors as well as maintaining goodwill with all involved at the properties. 

I will also strongly encourage accessibility for pets as well. 

If you can get your Vantage Score up 50 points, you will see positive results on the mortgage scores as well, it just may be 30 or 40 points or could be 60 to 80 point increase vs Vantage increase of 50 points. 

Expect any step needs to play well w/1031.

I now am more selective about loan officers as well as lenders.