If you have 18K for a down, you should have 250 for an attorney.I don't see anything wrong with buying from the bank, if they get it and going that route.

I'd just have to find out how to build a good trustworthy team if I went the out of state route.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone and hopefully becoming a regular face here.

If going this route, would the LLC structures eliminate the need for title insurance/any other insurance, since the only assets each subsidiary LLC will own is one property (or PA to the property)?

I think I was just impressed by the integration with vendors such as Uber/Lyft, etc, where you have a lot more flexibility with the approach;  variety of drivers/routes, access to several different target markets, and it's less permanent or less focused to just one vehicle like a bus ad or a car wrap. 

I think there is a Triad RE Investors association that meets regularly.  

@Mike McConnell If you want to go that route you should use commercial financing (more expensive) and commercial insurance policies.

I have been shown multi million dollar homes with no POF on a regular basis.

I walk people thru my journey from working a regular 9-5 and investing at the same time.  

I would go the legal route and get it recomend. if your succesful there is a lot of value in have a 3 unit.