Establish a relationship with a good mortgage broker who will keep you informed if they don't wish to keep you in the loop, get another lender.

You may want to establish breed restrictions.6.  

The NMLS has established a method of tracking and tracing  accountability of every single lending institution and the professionals that they employ.

I've been fortunate enough to ride the appreciation wave over the past 2-3 years so I've stuck to value adds in more established areas that are still improving.

I'm not sure if you're in this for the long haul or just passing thru but you might want to establish a good business relationship here and there.... my coin.  

Nothing longer.It's difficult to get Fannie / Freddie loans until you are a little more established, so most people are stuck with 5 year bank loans as they build up the portfolio.

Since you own the properties out right, consider moving them to a LLC, and to further add to your protection, establish the LLC somewhere like Wyoming or Nevada.  

Establishing an escrow will increase the cost of the money but .... 

Ideally, a tax escrow payment has already been established on the account to help ensure taxes remain current going forward.Bob's approach will work if the borrower agrees to the large escrow payment. 

Angela, if you already have an IRA you can establish self-directed IRA and transfer your current IRA into it.