If I am unable to change the financing structure due to high costs of refinancing, are there ways to still protect the assets under an LLC?

The deal was valued based on a recent sale of the local Holiday Inn, (only real competition for us) which also needed to undergo renovation.

I am not as concerned with cost and would prefer quality and transparency.

The cost of the new property covered the 1031 requirement of the value being equal or greater than the sale price of the joint property that was attributable to me (50%). - After closing as an individual buyer and completing all 1031 requirements (IMHO), I formed an LLC through my lawyer for the purpose of transferring the newly acquired property in there before I rented it out.

Also, please bear in mind costs; some states could have annual fees for an LLC in the hundreds of dollars (e.g., California),  whilst other states have no such fees (Texas).

Absolutely,I have a lot of clients working in Detroit and it has some great opportunities centered around 1-4 unit, affordable fixers that, with a little bit of work can become great cash flowing investments with lower annual tax and insurance costs.The downside is that you definitely have to know what you are doing as the good properties need some hefty work, and the market is pretty competitive.

Please share companies with competitive rates.

A simple mistake can cost you more money or time.Here's a pretty good guide: https://www.clarkcountyohio.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5210/CCO...

For me I’ve found the lower cost to entry to be more desirable in the residential market.

As the seller I would pay for the energy audit, do the analysis on the work to be done (cost vs savings) and then market the home with a prepackaged improvement contract that would meet lender guidelines (solar, EE windows, etc). 45 day close to allow for enough time to do loan and obtain permits, occupancy COE+2.