Especially if you anticipate making any repairs or value add pieces. 

I have several questions - imagine being able to split up property ownership into tiny pieces or having every transaction out there for everyone to see, all secure and tamper-proof.

Sure, but that judgment is nothing but a piece of paper.

If he is able to put the pieces together to make that happen, then the world better watch out for WACKO, TX! 

It can be complicated at times, but breaking the overall process down in to smaller pieces and taking them on one at time definitely simplifies the process.

I reported someone sometime back that was blatantly self promoting and using fake account to ask a question so they can answer it with their service pitch.

Have the LLC do the 1031 and buy several pieces of real estate (one for each member). 

These often include a preferred return for the investors and then a pre-determined cash flow distribution schedule between the sponsor and investors that includes the cash flow distribution waterfall based on either the IRR or EMx and possibly a GP Promote. 

If you are trying to piece everything together yourself remotely I think the time and brain damage and extra cost in time and cash you would be better to go yourself and do it. 

I personally like working with a broker because I know they are helping to vet the insurer and making sure that I am not missing key pieces of coverage.That said, from my understanding of the insurance markets basically different insurers like to spread their risk out across geography and asset class.