I've been told the LLC set up as a sole proprietorship (what I'm planning) won't give me any more tax benefits than owning a property and carrying a heavy umbrella policy.I've also been told that it would be difficult to get a loan on a property under the LLC, especially since it will be my first.

The investment vehicles you mentioned seems interesting and there are also great books on "long distance real estate investing" (including an often recommended BP one authored by David Greene with that title).  

I like the umbrella coverage because it results in having a heavy weight on my team when it comes to any law suit or threat of law suit. 

The other day I inquired about a property. I was simply looking to obtain some numbers for the property. fast forward, I talk to an agent for a while and a lender. I went with it because I wanted to see what I could p...

How does it apply to your situation and what vehicles are you investing in to mimic a similar scenario?

I will say that the course they offer is not very interactive and is very heavy on reading, if you are that type of learner then its perfect.

Get rid of the short curtains and add long curtains in at least two rooms nothing cheap and use good heavy rods.

On other words, I'm not in disagreement for you to sell your won transporting vehicle so you can use a scooter or bicycle to commute from your house to your job, but would you agree that's the best option? 

They do actually police these things and the fines are heavy, but the pamphlet shows you exactly what to do, or hire a lead-certified removal company (most of them carry the certification).  

The point of all of this is to make people understand that if you have no intentions of 1031 exchanging or holding the asset until death you are subjecting yourself to a potentially heavy tax burden upon sale of the asset.