The advice i'll give you is to shop.

@Lauren Ruppert Yes, an LLC can sell a property to your child’s LLC, ideally at fair market value (FMV) to avoid gift tax complications.

I understand that you borrowed from VCF, but I'm curious if you talked to any local banks/credit unions to comparison shop and if they were competitive?

Buy box: Location: Approx. 30 min drive to Boston Heights, for workNeighborhoods: Decent walkability score - not far from shops/restaurants/trendy neighborhoodsIdeal tenants: Close to hospitals/universities/schools for professionals/students/familiesBudget: $175-250K - Buying w/conventional loan, 5% down/ approx 20K reno.Property type: MFH 2-4 units - preferably side-by-side, with a yard we can fence for our dogUnits: 3+/1+ - better if 1.5/2 bath per unitTimeline: Plan to live there for 2 years, but possibly only 1 year if we find another investment opportunityGoal: Focus on appreciation - would like to see cash flow in year 2-3 (the year we move out), including overhead (Vacancies, Maintenance, Utilities) and budgeting in PM if eventually we don't manage ourselvesValue add: Opportunity for some forced appreciation, but not a full reno - cosmetic upgrades and updating kitchens/baths while we live in one unit.

Have you shopped around for other lenders?

Is there anything I should know before start shopping?

We have done The Fizz Shop in Illinois, The Popcorn Shop, a dog kennel, and even a clothing store.

The area is very desirable, great schools, restaurants, shops and major airports close by. 12 mins from downtown St.

I shopped all of my state's CU last time so I only called the top few this time around, it does seem like the best way to go about things.

I have shopped around for a different PM but there are almost no other options in the area.