Remember, one hand washes the other.Raymond

Yet in my area people regularly say and EMD is required.

I disagree most gurus teach that a lender cannot call a note do if you transfer the property into a trust that is all hog wash the lender can call the note do if you transfer it into an LLC, CORP, Michael Evans do you have any proof that a lender cannot call the note do if it is transferred to a trust.Joe Gore

Attorneys who work with private lenders regularly are very familiar with all the requirements of the state in question, plus the usury laws, reporting requirements, etc.  

Just a thought, particularly since most of those scary people in the war zone areas have weapons of their own...and use them regularly!

Welcome to BP @Erin Swann  You might want to start with the BWI meetup group next Wednesday in Columbia. a lot of members here show up regularly. 

@Curt Davis   Who do you go to for the refi, credit union, regular bank, any conventional lender?

But if you don't plan to have someone checking on the property regularly then you should have a "trusted" contractor meet the locksmith to screw 1st floor windows shut and lock them, and secure back door with wood stud(s).

Banks and brokers regularly try to sell their unsecured debt to the unknowing.With an interest in notes, you both might consider buying an HP10bll calculator and a copy of "Invest in Debt," by Jimmy Napier.

I'm responsible for it's mortgage payment, it's tax payment, it's insurance, it's repairs and regular maintenance, etc.