Here are a few I recommend: "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Roberto Kiyosaki; "Set for Life" by Scott Trench; "The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing" by Spencer; "The BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide" found here on BP; "The Book on Rental Property Investing" by Brandon Tuner.

There might be local banks or traditional options available, so I'll let the traditional LOs chime in.

People think that they can cash in by suing them thar rich property owners.Regarding the amounts to insure, we just increased our rebuild value to $350 a square foot.

I don't go to "closings" in the traditional, 'big table' sit-around-and-wait-for-suits, sense.

If you average permit filed price per square foot its about $135-$140 traditionally for the builders because they are adding basements.

The structuring of a series LLC is much different from a traditional LLC and I would suggest you hire someone. 

Not sure what else unless a traditional bank would consider it

Tax benefits can help make a better business deal, but a bad business deal is hardly ever going to break even just because of tax benefits.The other big consideration you should have, in order to actually benefit from real estate fueled losses or credits, it will require a substantial investment of time - either to get over the material participation thresholds for short term rentals, or to get over the real estate professional thresholds for mid term /  traditional rentals. 

Neither will a traditional bank. 

Quote from @Myra Haubrich: Quote from @Travis Biziorek: Quote from @Rich Bravo: I was considering looking into this area.