I've never used private or hard money lenders before but I think I need to take that step in order to move forward and grow my portfolio.

If you don't already have a QI on your team (and if you're asking BP about this maybe you don't have one yet) I would make that your very next step.

To keep the conversations flowing smoothly and fresh in my mind, I practice my dialogue with sellers when I’m in the car alone, at my house, have my girlfriend role play as one etc.

You’ve taken a great first step in real estate investment.

Wanted to know if the next action step should be talking to lenders about my financial situation or getting an accountant to set up the foundation for our company. 

https://howtostartanllc.com/texas-llc#maintainI used the above link...LITERALLY...step by stop to tell me exactly what I needed to do to form my LLC in Texas and I did it all while overseas.

Plus if it’s goes thru normal probate you receive a stepped up basis to current value, a Huge tax savings when you sell.

He's extremely thorough, and gives very practical advise.  

The square foot area of the basement is about 900 and about 1/3 of it has concrete but I am wondering if anyone has an idea of what it would cost to put concrete into this basement as the first step towards finishing it?

Early 70s OPEC & poor economic leadership, in the 80s the S&L crisis and 1986 Tax Reform Act and then stupid lending practices and speculative overbuilding leading to fall in 07.