This is the best route to go that is 100% safe. 

If we go the personal loan route, we can still run the management of the business through the LLC - again, interested in tax implications for this scenario if anyone does this.The personal real estate lender notes that you can deed the property to the LLC after purchase.  

If I had 7 I would most likely go the PM route but understanding that could be a gamble as no one will ever care more about your investments than you.

The "sell my house [location]" ones tend to be more people who are less motivated and will likely go the agent or FSBO route first.... but def could down the line when they can't sell end up working w/ you (but now you're competing against a billion agents for that phrase which is a bit more difficult). 

Although I'm not a Warren Buffet, my little brain tells me the first route is savvier .

Ive tried a few local groups but I don't feel that I had much luck going that route. 

This will be a less costly route to go.

There are many routes @John Clarke What works for me in my area might not work for you.

That's the route I would go.

I'd love to go the route of buying a multi-unit and living in one and renting the others to save more - but again in Boston that isn't really an option currently for me unless I find the almost nonexistent deal!