Of course having another entity own all the LLCs can simplify the process. 

"In this simplified example:Net sale price $225kOriginal purchase price $175kRemaining note $125kCapital gain $50k ($225k-$175k)Net cash at closing $100k ($225k - $125k)If I do a 1031 for $100k but only end up using $50k as a down payment (on a $250k property), and I get the other $50k back...is that $50k that I got back taxable or not taxable since my original capital gain was only $50k?

Okay, to make it as simplified as possible.

I simplified this and here is what I come up with.

@Travis Avenarius Here's my simplified overview:If buying an asset at auction, such as a county tax sale, you need to understand what you are bidding on. 

For us reducing the middle man simplified life! 

I put these numbers in the table below:Now that we have an (over simplified) estimate of the total cost, we can work backwards from the probable sales price to determine the maximum price we can offer.Based on the above, you cannot pay more than about $110,000 for this property if you are going to make money.

I'm doing this to simplify the analysis, so bear with me.  

I have over a few thousand names and the excel file is quite big and am looking for ways to organize & simplify.

It would be incredibly valuable to us and to the community at large to have users compile the threads and articles on specific topics, to simplify how we all find this information.