The lender just needed to see payments being made for 12 months out of a bank account that was not mine.

No, I think it is their self described "band of scrappy bankers and engineers" actually just trying to create a white label service where the QI has no liability and no effort to expend other than holding the money in some account doing heaven only knows what to make their profit.  

Then they suddenly told me my taxable brokerage account doesn't count as reserves but they won't let me sell and move assets to a checking account because they won't be seasoned for 60 days.  

To keep things simple, I'm not accounting for the cost of capital (that is very personal and varies for everyone) and I'm not considering other exit strategies.

Would you want the cheapest accountant or the cheapest wealth advisor or the cheapest surgeon? 

As many investors are aware, a cost segregation study is a very beneficial tax planning tool that can create a very quick ROI.

Allen, I recommend finding an accountant who specializes in real estate taxation over one that is local.

A trust account? 

We brought the earnest money out of our personal bank account $500 and fortunately found an end buyer within our inspection window.

Renting out the house doesn't sound like it will make money or break even every month, once you account for vacancies, maintenance, increases in tax/insurance, and turnover costs... unless I'm wrong there?