That I can set up for a personal goal.

Hi Kevin, my friends and I are looking at NWI as well.

Not only was the security deposit 'owner held', but January rent was sent as well. 

I'm specifically interested in Florence, but open to other areas as well!

You set up the "master" LLC in your preferred state and then put individual, local LLCs within the series LLC - like files in a cabinet - in the state that you own the property. 

I just hope it goes well, and is worth it at the end of the day.

LLCs can provide great asset protection (contrary to what many may say or believe), BUT...big BUT here, it must be set up correctly and maintained correctly. 

This means that you will probably need to pay registration and filing fees in at least 2 states if you don’t buy CA property as a CA resident.Be sure to tell your accountant that you may now need to file non-resident income tax returns in each state where you own property as well.

Well, have a couple of competitors that are exclusively apartments/dev land for same.Their marketing is targeted at investors along with the mailing list.However, yes, you can get bad/good brokers in the same firm. 

That said I am very particular when I choose tenants, so I think that helps give me piece of mind as well.