Or like some of the crowdfunders money flooded in and they made some pretty seriously poor lending choices and they themselves and their investors got wiped out.

Your best bet is to get the rec from an investor-friendly agent who also flips (but be very careful with this, so many fakers) or an investor.

Even at $60,000 a unit - that is a $1.2 million deal... and realistically I bet they will be over $100,000 each... all just a guess... but when you get into these price points and you are "new to real estate" as your title in your post suggests - I think you are probably getting in over your head for a first deal.  

You have found a market out-of-state and have talked to an investor-friendly Realtor you met on Facebook that seems to check a lot of boxes for you and your goals.You worry about making a good choice and how to complete your due diligence on this agent and opportunity.All of my out-of-state buyers buy without ever having seen the property in person but I know they will at some point and want them to have a good experience so I frequently do FaceTime walkthroughs with them before buying and use a very comprehensive property inspector to avoid surprises.

Personally, I love them because they offer built-in diversification.In my experience, local banks are your best bet for financing mixed-use properties.

It seemed like a safe bet.

I've read everywhere that they do not.Can someone explain which one is the correct choice and if any extra taxes are involved if they need to be on the LLC?

These are big money plays life changing profits but RISK you bet..

The buyer pool is beyond flakey..Your best bet is a local investor.

This is a personal choice and depends largely on your risk tolerance level and the current demand for rentals in your area.Vehicle Repossessions: Having a vehicle repossessed is strong indication that a tenant cannot handle their money very well.