Second, with this kind of idle cash and a lack of time, I feel like I'd rather do a few big deals, even if they're not as profitable as if I did a bunch of small individual deals - I just don't have the time to dedicate to making $30k.

It allows for the formation of separate “child” series under the “parent” Series LLC, but the liability is still compartmentalized within the individual “child” series in case there are any legal issues.

If you need electrical and/or plumbing, then the individual trades pull their permit off of your permit. 

For example, if you are working with an attorney and they're providing legal advice it's best to not use that individual as your QI.

This may be more beneficial for a OZ fund or a high net worth individual.

In theory you are better protected with the LLC, I'm speculating but if you screw up really bad and somebody dies on your property due to your negligence the LLC or individual ownership is not going to matter, you're going to be in a world of hurt either way.

Crowd funding allows individuals to invest their money as a lender.

I never have a shortage of roommates and rent my 3 bedrooms individually for $600/month.

Pivar (Author).

Being in Albany with the colleges, you could probably do pretty well with renting out individual rooms to college students, depending on where you buy a property.