This structure actually simplifies your taxes.  

Here was my situation (simplified):Piece of land: 85k, Cost of Construction: 200k, Selling Price: 320k, and potential Profit: 35kI went to my lender with these numbers.

Also the issue of how much control you have over the trust should be kept attorney client privileged and yes that means the trustees should be a lawyers.I am really over simplifying but... most people just need good insurance!

Fair point... but MERS did simplify the mortgage assignment and ownership process, especially in the age of MBS.

Seeing as I recently opened a business credit card and would prefer to utilize it for cash back rewards I'd like to use that to pay the contractor directly.I've brought it up to my property manager and he stated it's doable but recommended doing the payment through their portal so they can provide these repairs in a 12 month cash flow statement and have it as part of my 1099 at the end of the year to simplify taxes.

Here's a very simplified version of what I use to analyze flips:http://www.123flip.com/rehab-analysis-worksheetAnd here's what I use for buy-and-hold: http://jason.netrino.com/PropEval/PropertyEval.xls I mostly use this buy-and-hold spreadsheet for analyzing multi-family/apartment investments, but it can be simplified for SFH.

This is a simplified example of where property value and cash flow intersect.

I have reached a point of "enough" in my life and I am happy to simplify and deleverage. 

I am a little concerned that none of the changes talk about simplification of tax code or simplifying this complex social safety net that is now being called infrastructure.  

To simplify what Sunwest told me: they will do the paperwork that creates a Self-Directed Solo 401k, but that's about it.