Our current plan: is early stage, but I was thinking of sequencing it as: (1) Sell the current property (we have an offer that we are in the process of countering)(2) Find a single family home or townhome to 1031 into.

Those are the "tools" in your toolbelt, and any local lender who's also an investor is going to be able to guide you on which one is smart for which deal or sequence.2.) 

Money is saved best by efficency gains in the process, map out your sequence carefully and spend the time upfront to streamline everything.The worst place to save money is with cheap materials; the labor is the same, sometimes more, but you won't get the result or the designlife out of it compared to  quality components.Nobody wants to live in a 1 bath househould.

Verify with a CPAIt sounds like you have most taken most of the correct steps, but in the wrong sequence.

While I try to google or research forums before asking a question here, you know how deep and drowning google answers can be, and some of the forum topics are too spread out :)Need help in understanding mortgage banker process (for those who have the license): what is the sequence of mortgage banking, is it that first you become a mortgage loan officer (mlo) and then apply for broker license?

As long as you meet the DTI requirements for the lender and your credit score is within the same ballpark range (which I suspect it would be) I wouldn't really stress the sequence in which you purchase the properties. 

So, from my fuzzy memory, if I didnt get my sequence wrong, I set up a LLC first and obtain an EIN... then with the EIN, authorise IRS (perhaps via an agent) to issue u an ITIN for me to pay tax on.

I like the sequence that led to her "confession." 

Start by reading 3 books, in this sequence: 1- I Will Teach You to be Rich, 2- Set for Life, 3- Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

This question may be missing some gaps in terms of the sequence of the event, but all the same I'm just trying to wrap my head around it so I can proceed with action.Thanks!