Welcome, @Nick Frostbutter, SE Connecticut is a beautiful place to live.

Ive stayed away from the NE to avoid the Snow & Cold weather (there are other factors as well), one less thing for me to manage..Everyone has difference comfort levels, I understand wanting to be 2 hour driving distance from your property but for me taking a 2 hour flight to SE is an expense Im willing to do to be in my desire market.

It starts to creep fast.Best thing to do is discuss options with a local GC that builds the type of product your looking to build as costs do vary by region so I am giving you what I am seeing here in the SE area of the country but I work with people all over the country and costs are fairly close for this type of construction.

Just be aware of the higher taxes on trusts (35% tax b4 $10,000 b4 distribution to beneficiaries), & with the exception of The Mass. business trust, trusts per se are not designed to be in a business or a trade, such as flipping properties or finding yourself inadvertently achieving 'dealer status'.

This is typically done with a partnership or a C corp; This is to avoid SE tax on the interest or to take income from a business without being subject to the dividend rules of an Corp.

The Japanese agent is not an agent per se.

Does anyone have an attorney they recommend in the SE Michigan area?

I wouldn't mind them moving earlier because I can get ready for a new tenant quicker, but it's also not like they are doing me a favor, per se.

Even expenses for a management go on SE.

Texas doesn't use a specific "AITD" per se but a deed of trust written to wrap the underlying obligation just the same.