For background checks, TurboTenant and MyRental offer robust screening tools.

Your accountant may have some recommndations. 

This will be your main reference for your loan numbers.To track it in an accounting software, any software will work.

Check out zen business. 

Or Cash-out refi, but have that money just sit in my bank account until I return to the states?

We are currently using Excel for the most part for tracking the rentals, and using a third party account servicing company for tracking most of the seller financed loans (Weststar). 

Reason for the LLC is I have 180k of equity in this home, additional 150k in retirement savings and another 60-80k in cash in my bank account and I want to make sure im protected if I rent it out and the renters sue me (im told that is a thing) - the nw home would become my new homestead2) Put a heloc on the home (im told I should be able to get about 100k on top of about 60-80k cash I have), keep it as my primary and use the money as a downpayment for flips and either payoff upon completion or put a tenant in and refinance out3) Refinance out 90-100k from my current home, mortgage payment would go up $300 per month ($3600 a year) and just use that money for flips/buy and holds or even just stick in the S&P at an average of 7-8% return so I am making 3-4% more on my money then it being in the houseI am super new to all of this, have been saving my pennies up for awhile and need to get going. 

Cost seg studies have many different price points, depending on the complexity of the property but I would budget a few thousand dollars for a property the size.Regarding material participation, you should check with your CPA or tax advisor but generally speaking yes that would be enough time.

To get a good rental income, be sure to check who you rent to very well, write a clear rental contract, take a security deposit, make a smooth way to get rent, keep the house in good shape, think about getting landlord insurance, keep talking to your renters, and follow local rules strictly.

That would be around $90,000 sitting in a savings account!