Sure it's better to start with something more fancy, but if you're organized it doesn't really matter what you do when you're getting started.Along the topic of organization, the biggest thing is setting aside time weekly to update your books.

Too fancy and you’re going to turn some people off, too basic and same thing.

So that argues in favor of one LLC per property.If you co-mingle funds between yourself and the LLC or between LLCs, you are ignoring the corporate separateness of the LLC and providing grounds for a creditor to "pierce the corporate veil" - a fancy way of saying that they can ignore the LLC, too, and reach the commingled assets as well.So, if you are going to bother having an LLC, it's critical to observe the property formalities, like separate bank accounts and hiring bookkeepers and accountants to keep your books and tax records in good order.Presumably, you are in this business to build long-term wealth.  

Me bringing $4,500 is essentially giving $4,500 to pay for their cars, fancy vacations, etc.

I have no idea what the BP membership costs or what the other 'necessary software' costs, but honestly if the cost of a BP membership is out of range, I'd pump the breaks on buying a multifamily rental property 1/2 way across the country.With that said -- you don't need any fancy software to cruch in the numbers. 

Personally I primarily focus on Rental properties and besides BP I also love InvestFourMore, where Mark have a lot of focus on rental properties.I currently have a couple of single flats, (nothing fancy!)

I was talking to someone and they spent $400k on their fancy 2 story ADU.

If you want to get really fancy there is what some of the big apartment buildings do.

Paying off your mortgage may not make you as much money as investing them money elsewhere, but neither does buying a fancy car or a house that is too big, or taking vacations to Hawaii, and isn't that what the gurus tell us we should do with all the money we make in real estate anyway?

It's essentially a really fancy RV on RV hookups. it's movable on a trailer, parked on concrete and on additional supports.