If you can't get an recommendation you should contact your local Bar association and they should be able to give you a reference.

Your credit score reflects the risks a lender/ investor associates with granting you new debt, be conscious of this. 

It seems this approach has been borrowed from business startups seeking venture capital, and has spread to every aspect of business, finance and personal investment.My objections relate to a number of different concerns; that some may use the need for perfecting the plan and it's associated activities as an excuse to delay or even avoid the actual financial and networkng effort necessary to actually acquire a property.  

I have just been calling nothing but voicemails. been calling every number associated with the owner from the trace file. so far no luck. i guess the next step is to start mailing the mailing address.  

This is the only business I know where I can freely ask someone how much money they earn, their social security number, and where they keep all of their money along with the associated account numbers.

I'm not (at least not for more than 2 of my units).I don't deal with ACH, tenant screening (professionally) and all that stuff that's offered with these services.What I do need is a program to easily add a new property/unit, put in the rent, any recurring or one-time costs, mortgage info, purchase price and associated costs and the same for any sale transaction on the property.

Local (city or state) landlord associations are a great way to get legally compliant paperwork, expect to pay about $50 membership fee to get the forms and other support.Make sure application fee and application is for each person over 18 who will be living there.  

Really excited to share this book and the added content with our entire team as well as our clients that are actively seeking resources on using their self-directed IRAs and tax strategies associated with them. 

However, that technique raises several red flags in my mind:If the LLC exists solely to hold the primary residence, and has no real business purpose, I'm concerned that the IRS would rule that it's a "sham", and any tax deductions would be disallowed.Most likely due to violating the Economic Substance and Substance Over Form doctrines.If the LLC has some additional (real) business purpose (e.g. additional rental properties, or a commercial venture...such as selling office supplies), then the personal residence is in jeopardy in the case of a lawsuit brought against the LLC resulting from any investment or business property held within the LLC (e.g. slip and fall at a rental property).Even in that case, I'm assuming the residence would still be classified as personal property (even if held within the "business" LLC), so that any expenses paid (maintenance, repairs, etc) would not be deductible.Not to mention that mixing personal and business assets within the LLC creates additional risk for "piercing the veil" (alter ego) for any potential judgments.If they decided to proceed and ignore the above issues associated with using an LLC, there are additional issues:It's more difficult to get financing for personal property held in an LLC, and any financing would be at a higher interest rate.It's more difficult to get hazard insurance.They would need to pay the LLC (themselves) fair market rent, as tenants of the residence.They (as LLC members) would need to pay income & FICA taxes on the income (rent) received from themselves as tenants (resulting in double taxation of that money).They might lose their capital gains exclusion:If they keep it as a Single Member LLC (since they're husband & wife in a community property state), they could probably keep the capital gains exclusion, since the IRS typically considers that a "disregarded entity" (as long as the LLC has not elected to be treated as a corporation for tax purposes).

Obtain and evaluate personal and or company financial statements to ensure that borrower is not headed for bankruptcy.There are risks associated with obtaining a 12% return in a 3% market.