This would be easier if you were refinancing an existing loan.

My thought is that, if I find a well-functioning entity with good staff, it seems it would be much easier to buy the entire entity and everything with it, than to create a new LLC and have to basically "rehire" the 2 employees I want to keep, etc...

The reason I am thinking of condo/townhome as an alternative is I would buy them in a good neighborhood in downtown and so is easily rentable and probably easier to sell if I want to (based on location).

With your new title controlling the deed they can typically handle the A-B B-C transaction much easier.

Much easier to hit someone up on Facebook, twitter, or via a text.

Perhaps there is an easier route of investing than trying to deal with probates?

And trying to target a place I am familiar with and can make decisions with comfort.

This even makes file keeping even easier because I don't have to have files locked and highly encrypted/secure because they have social security numbers on them.The problem: I never get the social security number once they become a tenant.

In the past we've included water bills in our lot rent, as we don't have many tenants and it's just easier, but recently the small towns we are in have raised their water and sewer rates so high that it's eating us alive and we are looking into sub metering.

IMO, your targets are ideals.