For capital gains realized from fixed assets such as real property, only 50% of the capital gains will be taxable if the capital gains are reinvested in fixed assets such as real property during the year the sale occurred, the previous year, or within two years after the sale.

Yes, it costs money and is probably not worth it for under-7-figure assets/portfolios.

It protects your assets, but it can make financing harder.

It would leave your net worth really skewed into one asset and class of asset. 

Then I would speak with a land surveyor or civil engineer to get a sense of what it would take to obtain all the entitlements and bring in the utilities, etc.     

As a US citizen I have an SSN, file taxes every year on my foreign employment income, hold US-domiciled assets (stocks, IRA, 401k), and I have a ~15 year credit history with a decently high score.

Echoing some of the comments from others on this thread and adding that the LLC is purely for asset protection and limiting your personal liability. 

Or, in most metro areas, you can obtain the list of permits that have been issued, and see who is receiving permits. 

PM: Ask them how many properties they manage in your asset class.

I’m currently in the research phase for obtaining my first property, and I am looking to gain insight on market trends, investment strategies, and project management.