Far too many first time investors obtain less than ideal financing terms, just for the ability to vest in a LLC.

While all the posts have at lease some legitimate points, I personally believe camp 1 is missing the opportunities present to protect assets under US law mostly because they don’t either understand asset protection, or don’t want to bother with it, so rather than do a proper evaluation they dismiss it as something that won’t work to justify their unwillingness to entertain the idea.Camp 2 is deluding themselves - which delusion has been enhanced by charlatans writing books, giving seminars, and selling packaged plans all of which either attempt to hide your assets or hide the ownership of your assets.  

This way you can easily refinance in a short time frame after closing and capture the equity you are obtaining from getting a property at such a quality price. 

If you obtain letters of interest, you can exercise your option.

The way I see it is 25% down out of state means $100k in down payment/closing cost to obtain turnkey property that gains equity similar to an IRA or 5% down managing a renovation in the property your living in which in turn pays yourself from the equity gains which allows you to get to multiple house hacks very fast. 

What would be my best path going forward in the short term to obtain funding?

This tells me two things: Obtaining a variance will be more difficult because there are already policy considerations in place intended to reduce density & (2) There is clearly an over supply of rental units in this area otherwise the overlay would not exist. 

Ultimately, courses can be great for structure and guidance, but real learning often comes from doing and connecting with experienced investors actively succeeding in your niche.For many, podcasts, books, and courses are just entertainment. 

Obtaining the V.A. loan is going to allow you to put more liquid cash toward renovations. 

I’m not only working on my case with these buyers and a DeKalb Pastor & Chaplain of DeKalb Sherriff Office on over 2.5M...but this now appears to be related to a HUGE Mortgage Fraud Criminal Ring here in Metro Atlanta with quite a few of confirmed fraudulent documents on many properties as more evidence shows up.Some of the names I have confirmed provided or created fraudulent bank statement, operating agreements and forged QCD docs to obtain mortgages illegally then allow them to foreclose.