Then I would set up a traditional LLC to function as my operations company, allowing me to separate the highest liability activity from my assets (signing leases, collecting rent, paying contractors, etc.)The Series LLC could scale to hold as many properties as I would want it to, so it is ideal for a growing investment portfolio.

For example without being creative a single person can only have four mortgages Ive recently discovered that you can have 10 with "non traditional" methods.

The traditional small multi families in Phoenix are in garbage neighborhoods generally. 

Three different IRAs (my husband's Roth, my Roth, and my Traditional) all purchased a percentage of an LLC.

That's if it were sold to a traditional buyer a normal home.

Most of the US ends traditional financing at $484k...so "jumbo" rules would apply over that....unless you live in a "high loan" area...since the houses are also high value they need higher loans (like NYC for example).

A 160K house with 45K of needed renovation work is probably not going to sell easily through traditional methods.

For me the positives are endless and If you want to know more specifics I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. eXp has a non-traditional business model and with that I see a lot of mis-information being spread about it.

Should I get a hard money loan, and refinance with a traditional bank later this year?

Or should I use a traditional bank loan?