Someone here mentioned putting a personal loan into a trust, then allowing the LLC draw it down for payments.  

Draw the line, show you're sincere, serious and the request is not negotiable. 

Not to break my arm patting myself on the back, but I'm fairly good at imagining redesigns and do it on my own houses with software when I'm daydreaming - send me a drawing of the layout and maybe I can make some suggestions.

I have some friends and family that want to be lenders but wanted to draw up a contract to make fair and keep it business.

Will i need an architect to draw blueprints?

There are many different options for you to invest in so draw a roadmap of what interests you, what kind of properties you might like to own, what areas you would like to own in, what type of tenants, etc.... 

Does anyone know some structural engineers that will sign off on some simple drawings required by the city so we can get our rehab done?

My draw to rentals came from when I worked for Chris Fischels who owned 150+ units within his demographic.  

The key is to understand the difference between minor repairs, where no architectural drawings are required,  & major repairs that require approved drawings.  

The issue is, they need to be ready for the contractor, that means, they need to learn how to scope, put up some drawings and not only verbal imagination of what they want.