For example, somebody in a pre-foreclosure situation is likely getting collection letters for credit cards, mortgage notices, credit consolidation companies, bankruptcy attorneys, etc.

Preferably one you already have a business relationship with and who knows you and your brothers.Be ready to personally guarantee the loan and you might consider consolidating all three as collateral for the new loan.

Anything else I should know before consolidating my equity in this structure instead of in my name?

They have one consolidated payment for ch13 bankruptcy that they have been consistently paying 2 years.

For example, there may be some projects I want to abandon in order to consolidate cash before it gets really bad. 

While I get a consolidated bill, none of the carriers from my broker seem to have an online portal where I can add/remove/manage my insurance.

They trade and share and consolidate households and make things work.  

I'd likely consolidate in one market area for the ease of management but diversity into several small / midsize properties to spread my risk a bit. 

Sarah - I would suggest beginning with the  pre approval in order to  determine if the  existing student loans  are  affecting your ability to get the financing you want ...student loans can be tricky as  if there is no payment noted on  credit report - often a a  payment of .5% or  1% of the total student loan has to be used for  qualifying  calculations .......if you find out the student loans  are affecting the ability to get the home loan needed- then  shift gears to refinance . consolidate the  Student loans 

My advice here is in line with that given by several attorney members on BP, you can search the topic for other posts.The advocates for small separate LLCs usually have a vested interest in their advice, they create entities, advise to each one on a separate billing, they write more insurance policies creating higher costs and commissions or they may be the accountant who bills for the additional time of consolidation and tax returns required.A much better solution is to use a Series LLC, that automatically sets up the concept of a parent and separate subsidiary type entities.