The supposed extra protection is largely non-existent. 

I would like to incorporate before getting into dealing so i can officially do business as the company (marketing, selling, dealing) so the question i have is what state is good to incorporate (i am thinking of an LLC) from the viewpoints of taxation, privacy/anonymity, asset protection, annual fees?

Steven, you suggested flips in an SCorp but my understanding is that the SCorp doesn't offer the legal protection that an LLC does.  

I do have my own home and some retirement portfolios so I would like to protect my current assets before jumping into RE with both feet.

I use entities, operate in a responsible and legal manner, and carry insurance as protection.

Cash for keys, but I'd file eviction paperwork ASAP just to protect your rights.

Your financing terms will probably be better, but you'll lose the asset protection benefits of owning it in the LLC.

We assumed it's the same stuff they use in vehicles to protect against the direct sunlight until they installed curtains :)

Many buyers/homeowners like the fact that there is someone looking to protect their home values and that there is someone willing to fight to ensure that their community is properly maintained.

It's a personal preference.The main thing to protecting your assets is running everything properly and exactly by the law.