I mean, I agree with the gain if demand materializes, but buying in a rural area is pure speculation.

That may be accurate purely from a recent cash outflow perspective, but additionally you need to accrue an estimate for the lumpy vacancy, repair and capex expenses that are inevitable in the long run.  

.-- LLC for property management (purely for PM, you still have your bank account here, credit cards and trust account, then this LLC is the Property Management, the other LLC is the client)-- LLC's to hold property titles based on the equity value.

Again, your reputation and your word must be pure as 24 carat gold in this business, and anything that even hints at shady dealing or talking out of both sides of your mouth must be avoided at all costs.  

The first one I learned, and what I originally thought I should do, is to keep the relationship purely professional.

Pure gold!

Size of property (# of units) or condition (rehab) and pure monthly cash flow may take priority if scaling in a short amount of time is important. 

Ive honestly thought of investing in the States for the pure fact that there is so much information out there right at our fingertips!

Background: I own 2 4-bedroom rental homes in Baton Rouge, LA for purely college students (upperclassman) - both profit over $500/month after property management fees. 2 partners of mine and I are looking for new real estate investment opportunities.

Real estate is different from technology start ups where investors look for pedigree, energy, and pure raw talent.