I would not suggest to look into establishing LLCs and asset protection strategies till you have at least $100-300K in equity and only after you covered properly the "other" aspects of risk management (insurance, umbrella insurance, proper property management, etc.).Here are some diagrams to help you on this quest:All the domains that need to be aligned/intersect for asset protection diagram:https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asset-protection-spectrum-diagram - What is needed for a complete asset protection OR the domains that need to be intersected to find asset protection.Diagram: https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asspro-onion-diagram - The layers of asset protection - what, when and cost.

I was prepared for this eventual problem as I set aside $10k of the money I withdrew just in case there was a component I didn't think about. 

If you haven't had an inspection, get one; at least a Major Components Inspection to check the roof, AC, plumbing, electrical. 

You have to have trust and align on some of the same goals and the best way is just to be patient and talk with people until you develop that relationship.

-There is a built in-Roth component whereas IRAs are either traditional or Roth, not both.

One thing you want to do before you buy is talk to property managers and find one that aligns with your goals and one you feel you can trust.

Buyers tend to purchase (pay a certain amount) as a function of the whole, not by itemizing components, assigning a value to each, and adding up the multiple results to arrive at an offering price.

There are many options/avenues to pursue, just need to make sure they align to your goals.

Any insights or opinions on this "value add" component would be greatly appreciated. 

Luckily for us, the stars aligned and we had found a contractor that lived nearby our investment property just days before.