Veterans need to be protected here..

I know of an outstanding provider of such properties in the FL market.

Just look at what services are available at your address.Spectrum is a quality provider so you are trying to lower cost.Check out https://www.broadbandsearch.net/ and you should be able to see what's available in your area.

-Should I put the property under an LLC (pay higher mortgage rate, but better protection against lawsuits) or keep under my name?

Someday I would like to possibly have 4-5 homes that I would be renting out that could possibly help me retire a little early as well as provided continued cashflow in retirement.

BTW I have 0 experience  ALL you need to do is connect with those that do have experience and provide rentals to OOS cash buyers,, BTW, I live in FL, and do all my business in OH, , 

we have until spring of 2025 until our balloon loan either has to be refinanced or paid off (we got this loan because we intended to build, of course) and now i feel like it's a ticking time bomb.we conducted "clean and satisfactory" (no issues whatsoever to build) soil and foundation tests and provided those to every buyer. it seemed (not quite sure here) like they backed out once they reviewed the tests - yet there is nothing negative in them. we will not be providing these tests moving forward (as we had to do them ourselves and feel that each buyer should do their due diligence moving forward!)

I’m a travel nurse based in Tacoma WA and I’m hoping to get my first rental property this year so I can provide housing to fellow travel nurses.

What other insurance options do I have to protect myself from liability?

Your insurance company can provide referrals for this in your location.