In almost every state, your personal residence is protected from creditors.

Agents do a lot of work for free on the front end so the "Exclusive" just protects them from investing their time in a client who then buys something without them either going directly to the seller or using a different agent.

If its protection your looking for the LLC wont really matter. 

Is the only thing I can do to protect us is to take it to a lawyer and let them handle it?

Without knowing the umbrella details, it'll help protect one property from an event on the other, your properties from an auto issue, and vice-versa.

You may also want to be sure you are conferring with attorneys in those states for asset protection reasons, should you be so inclined.Nathaniel Busch, CPA 

There are sealers you can purchase that will fill them in to protect from water and ice damage which can make those cracks larger during winter months.

I explained that putting her on the lease makes her liable for the rent and damages as well, so it actually protects him (while giving me one more person to go after if it goes south).  

The most recent being the requirement of the Domestic abuse notice stating that tenanta have certain protections when the victim of abuse harrassment and the like.

Be aware, lawyers are good at telling you how to comply with the law but not so good in creating leases that protect your financial position as a landlord.