One thing every investor needs to be aware of: No real estate fund or syndication is FDIC insured.You may come across phrases like "the money is in an FDIC insured account," which only means the funds are held in a bank account, not under someone's mattress.

The cottage property will be held by us personally as it will be located on our primary residence property.

I don't think you qualify for a 1031. owning a property your mother lives in doesn't seem to meet the held for investment test necessary. 

I feel after a "thousand year event" the area held up remarkably well, and I continue to stay bullish on Florida and especially the Tampa Bay area.

Of course, if title is held in your personal name before transfer to trust there is a trail, and similarly with the mortgage.

Contract for deed is a type of seller financing where your payments go directly towards purchasing the property (essentially a mortgage but held by the seller rather than a bank) and once you finish all the payments the property becomes yours.

I think there is another case study of using federal land for affordable housing in DC that has been held up with red tape for decades.  

And who should be held liable for the damage?

., the single property held in said entity.3.

Is that $175k line of credit held by a blanket company under which you manage your properties?