That said, I'm grateful for the alternatives you present--you're keeping the bottom line in mind, so I appreciate your help in exploring options that achieve the bottom line for the investors. 

I’m also open to alternative strategies, such as private lending or passive investments in funds, to diversify and balance risk.Does this phased approach seem reasonable given the higher HELOC rate?

However, alternatives like a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA), a 60-Day Rollover, or a Roth IRA Conversion can help you avoid penalties.A SDIRA allows you to invest directly in real estate while maintaining the tax advantages of your IRA.

And alternating Fridays 11am-1pm. 

Has anyone had experience using this financing, or can recommend a similar financing alternative without the overhead of joining an inner circle?

Unfortunately, some renters will say anything—even things that make no sense in an alternate universe—to avoid responsibility or financial consequences.

Alternatively, your brother could buy your share, which would result in capital gains tax for you on the difference between your share's original cost and its current value.

Was the 'average' alternative investment in 2021 with 200k unoquivocally better than holding the asset (and by 50-100k)? 

I would still need to subscribe to a streaming service for cable tv, so cost savings wouldnt be much (or a wash), but otherwise it seems like it might be a viable alternative?

Each has their own tax implications.There are some alternative methods of calculating how much of the distribution and therefore the interest expense falls under this category, but the bottom line is that it is very important to keep track of.