(although you can lower the tax bill with smart dividend usage).Insurance can replace the protection of a corporation to a limited extent, but you should sit down with a California attorney to discuss those issues (you can incorporate yourself)Starting an LLC isn't that difficult but it all depends on your risk tolerance.

My strategy is to buy and hold, but I am also looking to start incorporating some flips as well to generate capital.

Property tax bills for the last 2 years IRS Tax returns and addendums for the last 2 years (as relatedto the property only) Articles of Incorporation Good Standing Letter from the Department of Revenue Any licenses in the name of Sathyam Enterprises Rent roll for the property for the last 2 years Security deposit register Payroll records Each different lease type Written property policies such as pets and parking Information on all rent concessions List of any uncompleted maintenance requests Maintenance and capital improvement history for past 3 years Litigation history on the property for the past 5 years Any operation manuals for the property Title policy Site plan Architectural plans Environmental Reports Any mold inspection reports Any lead-based paint inspection reports Any fire system reports or citations

My flipping business primarily does assignments and wraps, but am incorporating lease options and seller financing in our deal structure options. 

For a corporation, this is the Articles of Incorporation, for an LLC, these are the Operating Agreement.

FYI I don't know too much about how different credit scores will affect my mortgage payments, so I'd also appreciate some guidance which incorporates high vs. low credit credit scores.)

In the situation where he passes over make sure you incorporate where the money goes after his death. 

I spent 34 years in corporate America getting input, building consensus, writing status reports, developing plans/goals/objectives/metrics, etc. 

It seems like Americans have it easy in this regard but far less advantages to incorporating in Canada.

Right now the topics I'm studying are: Direct Marketing, Market Research, and how to incorporate appreciation into estimates.