compared to the big banks to try with first?

Have your realtor (get one if you do not have one) run a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) to find the Fair Market Value once the property is rent ready.4. 

Greeley may be different in terms of the options there since you can still get cheaper duplexes, etc there compared to the cities further West.

Typically when I compare this to the initial estimate the estimate was high, but usually not by much (5-800 bucks).

@John Warren There's a never ending debate on how much an LLC really protects you, as compared to merely buying a generous liability insurance.

As you compare the deals, you'll start to see what's important to you as a passive investor. 

For AP purposes, set up an LLC or Series LLC if looking to keep investing.

@Ruben Pereira  Keep in mind even if you move the loan to an LLC, for tax purposes, it will still flow through to your personal taxes. 

I don't know all the intricacies of your deal, but we've done some intra-family deals with the advice and help of an attorney.For tax purposes we got an independent appraisal of the property.

I live quite modestly relative to my income and I'm young enough that I'm fine jumping into a job again if I need to, so I've got a pretty high risk tolerance (so long as it has comparable reward potential, of course).I've been planning on just making money off the investment income, but I've always been rather interested in real estate investing and it occurred to me recently that I will probably have an easier time getting a mortgage now with my income than I will in a couple months when I don't have an active income.