Understanding how the markets work, supply and demand, trends, government impact on markets, and being able to predict patterns will help you a ton.

Each decision in the process impacts your business down the road, so it is really encouraged that you have someone assist you with this process. 

Will the weather in the region impact this by need funds for snow removal or flood insurance? 

We're concerned w/ the impact that will have on the value of our house.

Oh, and also what’s the impact of this higher mortgage payment each month if you don’t do this?

One book that isn't real estate related but has had a huge impact on my life is "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olsen.

After that proceed with a few applications and have them run your credit (I've read your credit isn't impacted if the multiple pulls for your credit report for loan application are within 14 days - you should double check that though).

MarcHere is some info on the endorsements:Building OrdinanceWhen building ordinances and laws change it can impact the cost to rebuild a structure.

I know @Mindy Jensen loves them but I don’t have experience there to say how it would impact rents.

You would need to be willing to work with commercial mortgage rates, though, which impacts your bottom line.One of the most common strategies for investors to still get the favorable financing available through their personal name while utilizing the liability protection of the LLC is by simple adding a Land Trust.