It's a cash-flowing property I've had for years and I ultimately decided to keep it and do a cash-out refi to purchase the next one.

Start with BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide (free).

CPA's are a good resource to talk these matters out with, but ultimately the realm of asset protection should be reserved for attorneys imho.

Hey @Jay Hinrichs,Yes, you did fast forward; but in doing so provided yourself the ultimate protection. 

Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

You can plan to convert to a LTR as a backup or if you’re starting out only buy where you’d ultimately want and could afford to maintain as your personal vacation home if needed. 

Who has ultimate ownership of your business, you or others?

(I know it was dumb to just trust, but I guess since thats what the company does is say OH HEY TRUST ME but ultimately its on you...).I was told that i would receive the liens by the county in the mail in a matter of 2-4 weeks...

Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

Each servicer treats the loan a little differently, and some may ultimately report the loan on your credit.