More than a few times, this has still allowed us to close a deal favorable to us based on solid due diligence.   

You Could refinance that loan into a 15 year mortgage, or if interest rates become more favorable, you could change that aspect of the loan from a 3.5 to say a 3.0.

A lot to unpack here... but you've got some good stuff working in your favor.

My goal is simple, I want my LLC to stand on its own feet and continue to flourish and grow while being a very favorable, safe investment to a private money lender with decent returns in hopes of a long-term relationship.

That will allow you to see what they do, how they do it, and gain favor with them that naturally leads to learning. 

Judges don’t look favorable on landlords pulling stuff like this.

Someone approached some of the investors I work with for a "favor."

Even if not, with a good DSC, you should still be able to get favorable terms on a long term rental loan. 

@Jason Switherspoon so your cousin is not really doing you all that much of a favor.

Hoping just with networking online, fb, IG, REIA Meetups (yet to make it to the one i have heard of nearby), etc, that i'll eventually connect with people that'll be great help as i'd like to return the favor to others in the future.I guess you can say what I am experiencing is "analysis paralysis", but how do I go about getting past it ?