Different tax structure for rental verses a primary? 

I have my Architect as structural engineer on permitting the garage to livable space and fixing a detached garage to the lot.

Of course your current total loan amount and structure needs to be considered in this decision.Good luck!

I'm curious about where you got the advice to "look at" 100 properties because, maybe in the context, it doesn't mean to physically look at.

Some people would be scared of that but I know the market and the structures of the houses and I can see how they withstand.

Things like fungus damage of the subfloor, support posts in the crawlspace in soil contact, hairline cracks, and (scariest to me) no foundation on a portion of the structure though majority is pier and block.  

The thing you want to be aware of is how the deal is structured with the owner, because they may want you to pay up after a certain amount of time and if your not ready bad things happen.Another way is using your IRA or Self Directed IRA.

I try to do business only with people that I can physically look eyeball to eyeball with.

That being said how would I structure this deal while best protecting myself?

Any advice on the recommended structure?