But generally I think areas that are relatively inexpensive with low(er) crime, decent schools, a diversified job market and steady population growth are the best places to aim for.

It is also relatively inexpensive compared to LLC formation, upkeep, and yearly registration/possible tax.The #2 point that makes this a mute discussion is you are not going to be able to move a property underwritten by a GSE (as most mortgages today are) into an LLC legally. 

Talk about inexpensive market with a ton of branding and touching going on with your market audience.

You may want to get an inexpensive website too such as https://oncarrot.com/tour/

And in the meantime, I keep driving for dollars, mailing to expired MLS, and targeting landlords through some manageable tasks I can complete inexpensively through basic data entry and mail merge.

It's pretty inexpensive, personal, and has a 2+% return.  

If that was true nobody would do anything useful with free or inexpensive information and I wouldn't know several people with tens of thousands of dollars worth of courses and guru events that have not done jack with any of them.By far the biggest factor in being successful in any program is YOU.  

Assuming a $500k loan that I can afford $4000 a month in payments.Fixed 30 years loan at 4% with extra principle ($4k minus the P&I) gives me 162 payments till the balance is paid off and total interest paid of $148kAdjustable rate HELOC at 5.5% that increases .5% a year making $5k a month with $1k in expenses gives me 312 payments till the balance is paid off and total interest paid of $750k

It is very inexpensive compared to what gurus charge and provides a lot more usable information.5.

But, your better option is probably just find an inexpensive matching stove and move the one in her unit to another property you own.