I just closed on this type of deal with a client two weeks ago and he is living in his duplex for free in SE Portland. 

Single families are doing very well in SE Wisconsin! 

But I do not se any opportunity in here in San Diego.

I definitely wouldn't say that you "need" an LLC per se, but there can be some big advantages.

My goal at the time was not cash flow per se, but establishing a retirement fund. 

Even then there won't be an additional layer of taxes, per se, since LLCs and LPs are pass through entities so any gains or losses are passed directly over to the owners via a form K-1.  

For those who dont know, a domain style development is breaking ground near COTA in SE Austin.

New investor learning the ropes and concentrating on SE Florida area.

The occupants are not squatters per se.

Your personal credit is usually irrelevant if you find a profitable deal to take advantage of in a reasonable amount of time.They are loaning money to the property per se,not you personally.There needs to be tons of profit to potentially be made after you have made the repairs and improvements to the property and put it up for sale.