architecture for someone who plans to invest aggressively in real estate, specifically 2-4 unit MF properties, and possibly commercial 5+ deals in the future.Should I just manage a healthy umbrella policy and forgo the entities entirely?

-We have been told about Umbrella insurance from friends.

Good umbrella policy is a  good asset protection strategy

Is it the same as umbrella insurance?

@Keith Meyer good article on umbrella policies.

I have searched through the forums looking for an answer, and I have read that some people say getting an umbrella insurance policy is better.

A trust may offer some of the same benefits as an LLC, depending on your goals, and allowing you to claim the part of the house you live in as homesteaded tax.Make sure you have the right home insurance and consider an umbrella policy for extra protection.Certainly buying a house, using conventional financing with limited money down as a primary residence and renting out parts of the house to help pay the mortgage, is a smart financial move.

I currently have an umbrella policy with Geico but they will only insure up to 5 homes. 

If your main point was supposed to be avoiding losing the property in a lawsuit, get an umbrella policy.

You're better off spending your money on an umbrella insurance policy and spending lots of time learning about your rights and liabilities as a landlord.