There is a upgraded marketing package that you can pay for $35 (I think).

With all that in mind, I'm assuming that my first step is to create an LLC entity for protection and then have an attorney create a loan package with a note...right? 

In fact many of our properties are done that way - we get a signed contract and then turn the package over to the closing attorney and move on to the next one until closing day.Your local REIG can recommend some good closing attorneys / title companies and they will usually be happy to walk you through the process and even provide you with the forms you need to get the deal locked up and closed.

Some of the owners in that area own a dozen or more houses and occasionally sell them off in packages.

So many people that I’ve encountered over those years were one and done, or here for a while and gone.  

Have any of you encountered similar situations in your real estate investing journey?

You have an opportunity to start with a clean slate and hopefully choose the type of marketing that provides the most effective and efficient use of your money and time.That being said, there are plenty of program marketers selling complete packages costing $8,000 a month and up, with a 12 month commitment.

What that would mean is that, when I want to rent or sell my condo, I will face competition from many other investors renting or selling exactly the same cookie-cutter condo with the same furniture package.

There are set fees like any grantors tax, HOA disclosure package, then fees that vary, like settlement fee, deed prep, prorated real estate taxes, commissions, closing cost assistance requested in contract, etc.

When you start reading about this and searching the internet one thing I find is true... there are many LLC formation services that claim to do a bunch of stuff, several of them sell expensive "education" packages which just get a foot in the door to sell more services, and other do-it-yourselfers (legal zoom)ut.