I want to know is it more cost effective or easier to purchase the property alone and put it in a mortgage in our name or purchase the LLC from him that holds the property within it.

I think there is a common misunderstanding that licensed contractors cost more.

Considering opportunity cost of not affording more rentals vs paying much more in interest.

They're offering 5% for 20 years, no pre-payment penalty and the only cost is $2,100. 

To save those costs, you might want to stick to some year build and older, for example, if you cannot do inspections on the properties that you are buying due to off-market deals or something else that is hindering you (all sellers I buy from do not want anyone in the home till we close).

By my estimates, pricelabs cost me approx $25K last year in lost revenue for some of the same reasons you've listed in your post.

They work on contingency, so it costs the plaintiff nothing unless the attorney collects from you.Take a look at: https://www.fcc.gov/document/f... 

The previous owner used it occasionally and rented it out to offset some costs.

Purchasing a “distressed” property and “repositioning” it requires significant capital for improvements, build outs, holding costs, maintenance.In looking for that “needle in a haystack” slam dunk great deal you’re competing with very knowledgable, greatly experienced investors with the cash to make no contingency offers and close in a few days.  

If you get cat urine in the house, it can cost you 10x the pet fee to mitigate the odor.