The property seemed to match all of our criteria and gross rents are $3,200/month on a $225,000 total investment. 

Most appraisal districts will match your purchase price within a year or two of purchase. 

Is creating an LLC with equal parts ownership with a business checking account to match be the most equitable way to structure this?

Pick an asset class: Class A, B, C & D properties, research pros & cons, pick one to focus onPick a real estate market that matches your resources & goalsContact local agents & PMC’s to start sending you listings to analyzeAnalyze a few deals weekly, get comfortable with the market and refine what you're looking for

Hard Money Match Making - If an advisor connects clients with other clients to provide hard money loans are his or her securities licenses sufficient?

The "contract" as written may not be valid for settlement purposes (name(s) on deed matching contract) but the registration, bid and deposit make that irrelevant in terms of enforceability. 

There is something to offer in almost every market, and I need to find the one that matches up with my long term goal.

So they changed Underwritings Guidelines to match Conventional because prior most people didn't want to deal with FHA.

They're a marketplace for commercial real estate loans and seriously simplify the process by helping us match with the right lender - they're a broker, but a good one and earn their fee with how much they go the extra mile for us.

For commercial $ I'd say talk to Bell, if looking to mix & match things your going to have to go with the lessor know more hard-$'ish places.