I used automatic payroll withdrawals into mutual funds, saved Christmas money, any bonus funds, a small inheritance when my grandma died, and so forth...and got super aggressive about saving up for the next down payment.  

Wondering if this has been beneficial and if you have a recommendation for a reputable stager.

As a newbie your detailed outline was extremely beneficial.

Then later on, assign your beneficial interest of the land trust to your LLC.

SFDs with me as landlord5. a cash alternative (money market mutual fund)6.

We found this deal off market through mutual friends.

I am thinking of venturing into  self storage in Central valley (Close to Merced)Anyone interested in self storage business in central valley who has some experience or want to join hands in any capacity which is mutually beneficial.You can reply here/PM me.PS: I am newbie in self storage but I have good portfolio of Single family homes in Merced and its a great town with good growth prospect.thx/-Vijay

The new bank rules require someone to be named as the beneficial owner of the account.

The main interest is for asset protection.C-corp and S corp (or LLC taxed as such) offer some interesting tax strategies.Personally I hold all my rental properties in separate land trust, with each beneficial interest assigned to a single member disregarded LLC in the same state as the property.

This mentor relationship seems to be extremely mutual, we are willing to do whatever for him in exchange for his wisdom.