It is better to have both adequate insurance AND an entity (LLC).

So I proactively replaced them at the beginning of summer so my tenants could enjoy new units.Roof = 25-30 yearsHVAC = 4000, 20-30 yearsFlooring = 1500-2000, 10 yearsPlumbing = 4000, 20-30 yearsFixtures = 1000, 10 years (I'm assuming this means all faucets and light fixtures)Water heater = 600, 10-15 yearsAppliances = 400, 5 years (although I'm not a big fan of supplying stove/fridge)Components = 1000, 15-20 yearsStructure = 10000, 30-50 yearsKitchen = 3000, 20-30 yearsWindows = 3500, 30 yearsPaint = 1000, 5-7 yearsLandscaping, 100 per yearOverall, the net is that as long as you are on top of maintenance items, make repairs and proactively replace things (and keep adequate reserves to do so), your $30k house will continue to generate cash flow like a little oil well. 

Many of these requirements are common sense; working smoke detectors, no peeling paint, adequate egress in each bedroom, covers on outlets and light switches, working plumbing, a source of heat, banisters/railings if porches are a certain height or there are a certain number of steps, no cracked windows.  

Take a close look at your repair budget and make sure the improvements you've got down are adequate to realistically fetch that 100k number!

If your retirement utterly depends on having adequate cash flow from your properties, any downturns will cripple you.

I've used it for two years and was able to extend my tenants lease for an additional year very easily.The only nick I would give it is that I don't think the tenant screening is very robust, but it is adequate.

You may need Jew appraisals but if you find that your ltv is adequate without the property you plan on selling you can easily have that property released as it's documented into the loan that this is allowed.

  $10K cash might not be enough reserves to do a flip/rehab, even using hard money, but $10k cash AND $10-20k in credit lines (credit cards plus bank lines) very well might be adequate to do a deal in NC.

"Guarantees" are really just the actuarial growth rates that must be maintained to make sure that the policy is adequately funded to cover the liabilities.

If your retirement utterly depends on having adequate cash flow from your properties, any downturns will cripple you.