From my personal experience, each lender has its strengths and weaknesses.

I just completed a "free BRRRR" in Monroe personally and helped another investor complete a Free BRRRR in gastonia as well!  

Today I simply go in on these with other investors as part of a passive real estate investment club, where each person invests $5K at a time and we vet new deals together each month.

personal finances and mortgage with local lender How did you add value to the deal?

Wondering what, if anything, I could do to spruce up the place to make it more attractive to a potential tenant OR if there are ideas of what I could personally do to it that would create some nice cash flow for me (co-working spaces, etc.).

Any contacts of a good reliable person in the area - would like to set up a relationship with them and keep them in my list of contacts for future work.  

Popcorn should always be tested before scraping.After pulling down the wallpaper in my daughter's room, I want to murder the person who invented it. 

My 2 cents is that for non-sleeping areas, hot tubs, pool tables and movie rooms are top amenities that guest have personally told me they like the best.I think an outdoor rated pool table (or maybe ping pong table), TV and comfortable seating would likely be the best bang for your buck.

If it were me, I would try to buy out the current owner, and do a partnership with your money person.  

Do you think if the grant deed showing the transfer from the personal name to the LLC would work?