Here are some of the key things to keep in mind when choosing an asset protection strategy for your rental properties:Your risk tolerance: If you are not very worried about being sued, you may not need the best level of protection.

What is your strategy for maximizing its potential? 

Additionally, does anyone have strategies or advice on how to confirm that the reported rent is actually being collected as stated?

I'm sure the very wealthy already have a strategy to get around this problem.   

Should I continue the traditional agency road map or am I missing some other strategy that might help get the knowledge and experience needed to meet both objectives?

@Kevin Si,Even the best lenders have their 'moments', so I would even be cautious to this end, but I think its important to go with a lender that complements your strategy in investing.

Anyone who has gone through a successful ground up multifamily development please reach out, i would love to pick your brain on the process  Having just gone through a building project in the last few years in Whatcom County it is hard for me to adequately explain how difficult the County makes any kind of development.The cost for permitting and all the associated consultants for a project of any size will be quite significant and need to be budgeted for carefully with plenty of contingencies in my opinion.The strategy the county planning department uses is to make every effort to run up your costs and delays as much as possible in the hope you will give up and go away so development doesn't happen.  

House hacking can be an excellent strategy, especially for creating financial and time freedom.

The leap should be underpinned by understanding the risk and gathering as much information as needed to fully understand the investment and the risks involved as well as understanding the exit strategy. 

You are already ahead of a lot of beginning investors by knowing the exact strategy that you want to start with.