For instance l, you can net $5,000 but due to depreciation show a net loss for tax purposes of $1,000.That's why I love rental real estate. 

What year/decade do you draw the line on investment purposes?

You have done your search already, pick the right one for pre-qualification purpose and later on compare rate and closing cost with other lenders.  

Flexibility on purpose what you can use funds for.Other options are to save in regular mutual funds contributing on a monthly basis- taking advantage if dollar- cost averaging..You may want to talk to one of the financial planners.

Skip the LLC unless you need it for commercial loan purposes or you have a true company operating at a large scale.  

If the purpose of being a Brokerage is to save money on your own transactions, you will need a lot of transactions to cost justify it.Your personal presence is based on having a Brokerage and a Closing Agent who understand doing business with Investors.

@Leron Horn - The purpose of portfolio loans is that they don't have to meet current FNMA guidelines for conforming loans - so each bank sets their own guidelines when keeping loans on the books.FNMA guidelines stipulate that you don't have to be employed at your current job for 2 years, but you have to be employed in the same type of position / industry for 2 years.  

They should be vented to the exterior otherwise they only serve the purpose of being a coarse particulate filter and do little for the air quality within the premises.In the IBC/IRC and building code in many, if not most, jurisdictions range hoods must be vented to the outdoors.

would a house hacker be considered a real estate professional for tax purposes?

The purpose of an LLC is to create a legal barrier between your assets and its assets.