We wanted to purchase multiple properties at once for buy and holds (2-3 at the most), but is LLC best, or should we act as "co-homeowners"...

If you plan to acquire multiple properties then yes considering getting a LLC for every 1-5 properties.

If that means multiple complaints on multiple salespeople so be it.

Seller might have 6,000 for a policy but that is because they own multiple properties and reached  a policy limit and to insure one more is just a little bit extra.

I teach FPU at my church for one thing, and, sit on the Board of Directors for multiple Not-For-Profit companies. 

But I don't see any major concerns with regards to the cash flow numbers you posted, unless there are hidden expenses (insurance, capex, deferred maintenance, management fees, etc).There is always a risk when inheriting multiple tenants. 

The simplest deals will be just equity and senior debt, while the most complicated may have multiple tranches of mezzanine debt or senior debt that is later syndicated out into multiple notes.

Final question: should I shop multiple hard money lenders?

I don't ever plan to make this a full-time gig as my career as an engineer is fun and rewarding, but I like the idea of owning multiple properties and the financial flexibility that comes along with that.My wife and I purchased a new construction home in 2009 and took advantage of the $8k homebuyer credit.  6 years later we are selling our home at roughly a $15k loss, which is certainly unpleasant.  

I own multiple properties in 2 different states and 1 property aboard.