You will also need to notify the county property appraiser that you are still the beneficial owner to make sure that they won't reset the cap on the assessed value of the property for your property taxes.Regarding the note, as you are not changing the name of the mortagee, there is no transfer of the note and there should not be any doc stamp.Also, avoid the quit claim deed, use a warranty or special warranty deed instead. 

As my husband and I research, create new connections, and attend various meet-ups, we are trying to decide which local or national organizations are important/beneficial to be involved with. 

If they are serious about closing, they will go through the work of getting you this documentation. 

What programs/forms/documents do you recommend using?

In terms of the contractors…. document, document, document.

Just make sure your cpa/QI have your “intent” well documented/justified to qualify for the 1031.

Would owning CRE or non-commercial RE using a trust or LLC be beneficial to my situation knowing I want to get a good rate as much as I can for the primary home mortgage?

In a long term relationship this usually is beneficial.

I'm still waiting on the easement document for more information.

So in other words don't partner with anyone to show you how to wholesale because I am willing to bet they do it wrong, are dishonest about it and their lead generation strategies are laughable.THat said,get a website going, start your social media accounts, make noise, be noticed create your brand and document EVERYTHING on their.