So it seems this would work for single member or married joint ownership, but not ideal for a partner situation.Here is the text from Fannie Mae Servicing guidelines that lays out the rules (link to full text at the bottom):a limited liability company (LLC), provided thatthe mortgage loan was purchased or securitized by Fannie Mae on or after June 1, 2016, andthe LLC is controlled by the original borrower or the original borrower owns a majority interest in the LLC, and if the transfer results in a permitted change of occupancy type to an investment property, such change does not violate the security instrument (for example, the 12 month occupancy requirement for a principal residence).Note: The servicer must notify the borrower that a property transferred to an LLC must be transferred back to a natural person prior to any subsequent refinance application in order to meet Fannie Mae’s Selling Guideunderwriting requirements.https://www.fanniemae.com/content/guide/servicing/d1/4.1/02.html

These aren't all foolproof of course, but basically the people that go through life events and become distressed sellers actually reach out to you and only - being the main difference.Again, I need to play within the guidelines on here and I also like to genuinely help on here so if you'd want to at least learn a little more let me know!

If you are genuinely eager to learn and willing to work for it, you will find people willing to help you along the way. 

Establish genuine relationships with real estate folks in your area by attending meet ups, getting their info, and then asking them to coffee, a drink, or a hike.

Oh and we are going to attorney today to begin to look at how to structure either operational agreement or Joint Venture.  

We have done some joint ventures in some real estate deals, but never done anything completely on our own (i.e. never had a mortgage).

And I’m talking every joint and possible communication point fire caulked and everything 5/8 drywall.

Although there are some tax advantages to rental properties, you most likely won't be able to write-off the passive loss if you make over 100k (single or jointly). 

I think a simpler structure for this could be a achieved by forming an entity with the financial partners or establishing a Joint Venture agreement between your company and the co-venturers who you are partnering with here.It would pay dividends to sit down with a skilled CPA and business attorney to chat through this idea. 

If so, would the transaction I want to carry out with the bank be a genuine refinance from their perspective?