If it isn't there when I would normally need it, since I'm not counting on it, I'm not going to worry about it.Although, @Elizabeth Colegrove only looks at a 5-7 year period, so I trust her timetable is probably workable.  

Plus, I do have a 1M personal liability umbrella already that would be a layer of defense if I did somehow get pulled into a legal suit.From everyone's feedback thus far I think a workable arrangement would be: 1) turn this into a joint venture agreement (not a partnership) that delineates all aspects of doing projects together and have our signatures notarized so it is a solid agreement that can be used in a court of law; 2) the agreement also lays out who the successors are for both of our entities so that the project can be completed if either of us die or are incapacitated; 3) I create and record 1st TD with a note stating that I receive 50% of the net profit on the sale of the property; 4) my equity partner will be the only one on title and the official owner of the property (which is what he wants).

It's really hard to find a workable "sub to" deal.  

It sounds like you can't do that on the west coast, but in the Midwest that might be a workable option. 

And I still might hold out and try to find something workable for my area.

Their liability would be enormous and would make the business model not workable.

That simple fact alone should be a workable solution.However, none of this should be your problem in the first place. 

There must be a way I can present a workable and acceptable arrangement to implement this. 

However, I do think it is pure laziness when someone doesn’t bother to find the answer to their questions, or to seek out education by searching the forums, blogs, and internet; instead asks a question expecting someone to provide a complete workable business plan and complete education for them in two posts.

Lots of cities have granny flats, grandfathered in extra unit which are workable for conventional loans.