Think of it this way, your own personal credit is tied to your SSN and you can improve it by utilizing credit whether that is credit cards, loans from a bank, or mortgages. 

Also, I'm assuming I'll need to setup an LLC to keep my personal assets protected? 

Then you are ready to find properties but you  need to know how to underwrite,  don't expect a person to give you a deal.

I often see these forums flooded with people asking questions that they really don't need to ask, as their questions are very much personalized to their specific situation.I will try my best to keep this as short and concise as possible for simplicity and not waste you all's time. 

We've had a lot of interest and I'm using TurboTenant to screen applicants before showing the property (after making the mistake of showing it to one person who fell in love with it but was not close to qualified to rent it).

There is a lot to the processNote I am not an agent (nor would I want to be one), but there are times when you absolutely should use an experienced person to handle one of by largest financial transactions you will go through in your life

on how you got started, what mistakes did you make, how much money do you feel a person must start with, what did your first deal look like, and which method of real estate investing did you do and what are you doing now (rentals, flips, etc.)Thanks!

Then you may have to do this via a TIC or a merger type transaction.I would discuss this with your CPA a 1031 expert in your area - presumably the person who will be helping complete the exchange. 

Personally I don’t think decoupling commissions makes it easier for a buyer, I think a side effect could be it makes (some) buyers agents more necessary.

Hi BP Community,We are considering adding our personal vehicle as an option to add on to our mid-term rental in San Diego, CA.