Could it be considered piercing the corporate veil if the mortgage for the property is in your personal name but the deed is in the name of the LLC? 

@Matt Solis would be the perfect person to speak to about this!

That could work if you find the right person.

can anyone you know in person vouch for this lender? 

I have sold some properties years ago on lease options where the tenant buyers actually exercise their right and purchased the property. ( I was in the deed.)The reason I am concerned to tie another person’s property up  with the lease option is that people can change their mind, as in the seller.  

We purchased it off market, as-is, and as it was our personal home, we renovated over time.

No personal income or tax returns are required.

On more than one occasion I’ve talked with a person or two that was offering real estate coaching and I found out very quickly that either it was not what they were advertising or they was not far enough along to be coaching anyone except maybe a complete newbie or maybe it wasn’t the strategy for me.Anyway, that’s my ramble for this morning.

Shadow/mentor a person doing it.

I personally wouldn't buy an old home as a rental, I only buy 1980 or newer for myself, all of my properties are in the north part of Gilbert built between 1985-2003.