One thing I am finding is the reviews for some mentioned firms are all over the map.

Only difference is that California I have 1.5% or $1500 min vs every state as Joe mentioned is the same.

Not to mention the upfront cost of furnishing. 

I have a job with steady income but I want to stop working by the age of 27.

If I were in your position starting out at a young age I would focus on building my credit score first.

As I mentioned above, I appreciate your honesty. 

I have given this renter Dave Ramsey's book The Total Money Make-over but I doubt they have read it because they have never mentioned it. 

As i mentioned in my introductory post, I am really looking to using next year to jumpstart my portfolio.

You mentioned price, are you too high?

Rates are not going down and something like that we would not do, we would go 24 months max and would be 12%+. so 10% is good YUP that is a smokin deal for private money for 5 years.. now the OP does not mention points if any..