As a new investor interested in seller financing and exploring other posts regarding Dodd-Frank, I was under the impression that balloons were not allowed.

Now we are exploring other options and the most attractive thus far are to grow our self-directed retirement fund PMLs and dive deeper crowd sourcing options that connect directly to the investor.

Looking for advice on bank financing for the development vs exploring private lending vs bringing on another equity partner.

I'd like to get a few additional deals under my belt before exploring that.

A strategy I'm exploring is buying a SFH in a great area, live in it for a year (ideally rent out rooms while in it), and then rent it out to a family after I move out.

@Dustin Pringle If the seller owns the property outright or close to you could explore seller financing or even a lease back.

@Sharon Beatty I would definitely explore refinancing into a conventional loan so you can utilize your VA loan again, but like many have said in this thread, $20k in closing costs sounds a little ridiculous!  

We're down to a few core employees at reduced pay--just the CEO, the marketing person, the grant-writer, and the Childcare Director (we've been offering childcare to essential workers) and a skeleton building/childcare crew remain.It seems to me that "pandemic proofing" our community-centric non-profit would be essential to its long-term survival, and that real estate would be worth exploring as a way to both rescue and sustain it.

Its the right environment for a new investor like myself to explore any possibilities here in Pueblo.

From my experience there could be two reasons why you would consider using LLC or not:Risk/liabilityTaxOver the years I have noticed many attorneys who want to sell their services and products put fear into investors, especially beginners, about investing only through LLC.From a tax perspective, I would suggest exploring this conversation with a tax expert.Former risk/liability perspective here's how I would approach this question:Let's say you invest inner lower and property with a higher risk of issues, say the cost of the property is $50,000 and you anticipate high potential risk class you're buying the property for cash.