Instead of trying to open a safe with a blunt force instrument, maybe coming at it from another angle with another tool may crack open the safe.

They don’t keep commemorative plates and collectible spoons, but they keep clothes, kayaks, bikes, Christmas decorations, old computers, instruments, tools, etc. 

Infact, I'd say if you these houses make up a higher portion of your NW it's more instrumental to protect them.You don't need to layer in trusts, etc.

“FHA security instruments require a borrower to establish bona fide occupancy in a home as the borrower’s principal residence within 60 days of signing the security instrument, with continued occupancy for at least one year.”There are some exceptions listed, but they are tied to significant life changes (military or job relocation, increase in family size, etc.).

We put out a lot of effort up front, charge no leasing fee, and need to re-coup that effort over the term of that lease.  

I've been on both sides of this table; they've wholesaled projects to me as well.To head that surprise off at the pass, I explain to the seller at the time of contract signing that I may assign the contract, or double close, or any number of other instruments to a partner but that their dollar figure remains the same.

Or should we take that money and invest in a coupe of long-distance investment homes in the USA first? 

Deed of trust is the existing mortgage debt instrument for lack of better words. 

We tried to sell the loan a year ago but found out that there were two minor title issues: legal description was wrong in the original note & several assignments referenced the wrong instrument number (off by one digit).We shouldn't have missed those but neither should the 5 big banks that had the loan before us.

It's almost the same thing as allocating your 401k in stocks when your young and shifting to debt instruments as you get older.