Ma & Pa investor don't know how to work the market (which has volatility, "flash crashes", hacks, hedge fund manipulation,) and plenty of outside influences outside of their control, that limit their growth.

Your area, jurisdiction and the political flavor of your courts influence whether or not an LLC is right for you, so see your attorney.

As to what's best is to be decided by you personally as each individual's situation is different and is influenced by your time commitment/money/tax implications/long term goals. 

Your Center of Influence list is a better list by far

Should that influence NOI or free cashflow?

Home buyers are very easily visually influenced.

I say this because Ohio is on my bucket list to visit and I would appreciate experiencing Ohio for what it is currently and not what it might become under outside influence.

I can't help but look back at the 24 year old version of myself who was so heavily influenced by this very forum 12 years ago. 

I can influence outcomes much easier.One will hear throughout your life, that money does not buy happiness, and while that might be partially true, money sure does provide more happiness "options", as well as opportunities to help others.People are BS'ing to say otherwise.  

I agree about the influence some bloggers have.