My CPA isn't well versed in 1031 exchanges and I want to know the effect of transferring title back to our names from a tax perspective. 

If you have someone reserve a year, you can charge back utilities but it might be a lot of hassle.

I personally think they are “higher end” than anything stackable.

Told them to do a drive by and call me back with an offer :)The person who called you probably just spent $15,000 for mentoring and “education”, and is now in panic that his 250 cold calls have not produced anything .  

Did you end up finding one?

But since he sold the house, the entire insurance payout ends up taxable now. 

When you borrow money you agree to pay it back.

However, when peeling back the layers I find myself at dead ends time and time again. 

Look into crime maps, and do the old fashioned thing of getting in a car and driving the market if it's not in your back yard.

The main reason I ask is because that is significantly below primary residence mortgage rates let alone any investment loans, if you can get rates like that I might need to make some changes on my end hahahTo answer your original question, assuming all else is equal long-term fixed rate debt is valuable.