I have seen those with one investment property close in their own name, for cheaper, and get an insurance policy that was more than ample to protect from loss (eg. $1 million policy).

Ideally we'd like to put 20-25% down with the LLC holding title and the mortgage.

Have you confirmed insurance and taxes with an agent and the town?

John keep in mind that is insurance companies paying for the new builds.. free market is not that high

My personal opinion, and I may get some hate on this, but a CPA shouldn't be doing bookkeeping.You can find heavy-hitter bookkeepers for $20-50/hour who are experts at their craft but don't have the CPA/EA title. 

I've recently purchase an investment property that was purchased for "$10" according to the title paperwork sent to the Appraisal district.

Yes, it is common to transfer title to your llc.  

At 12mo+ that lease income will add to your income to help (not hurt) your DTI.in time you can REFI out the FHA once equity has built ideally with some cash out REFI, but the REFI will be conventional investment at 80% LTV.Its said that a 95% conventional is really a better product for those who qualify then FHA, which today the Mortgage insurance never drops off, where in conventional it will drop off when at 80% LTV.

The people you get to know at these meetings will teach you the vocabulary, the hot markets in your area, what vendors to use (attorneys, contractors, subs, title companies, lenders, etc.). 

Since her home was flooded due to an interal plumbing issue and the insurance company is paying to remodel the existing old (1920s) and dilapidated structure (could tell by looking at some of the 2x4 studs revealed in the partial internal demolition), I decided to find out if my mother can use the money should would receive from the insurance company in the form of a check, put that towards the remodel, and in addition secure a construction-to-permanent loan in order to fund the complete transformation of her 1 bed 1 bath 1,200 sqft home into a 2-story duplex that she can rent out, airbnb, etc.