Today I simply go in on these with other investors as part of a passive real estate investment club, where each person invests $5K at a time and we vet new deals together each month.

personal finances and mortgage with local lender How did you add value to the deal?

Wondering what, if anything, I could do to spruce up the place to make it more attractive to a potential tenant OR if there are ideas of what I could personally do to it that would create some nice cash flow for me (co-working spaces, etc.).

Any contacts of a good reliable person in the area - would like to set up a relationship with them and keep them in my list of contacts for future work.  

If it were me, I would try to buy out the current owner, and do a partnership with your money person.  

Popcorn should always be tested before scraping.After pulling down the wallpaper in my daughter's room, I want to murder the person who invented it. 

Do you think if the grant deed showing the transfer from the personal name to the LLC would work? 

The LLC protects your personal assets from liability of your business.

I'd be open to a conversation soon and I could guide you through some of the unique things you are looking for in a rental.

I have a mailing list of over 3000 recipients and are aiming for a personal touch with letters that appear handwritten and are signed in ink.