Actually, my duplex is owned by my living trust, but that's for probate purposes (in CA, if you own property and have children, it behooves you to put the property in a living trust so that it's doesn't have to go through probate court if you die.)Best!

I don't want my potential future children to EVER see me struggle like that.

We sold a small cabin we owned in order to make a down payment on our Connecticut house, as our house in Oklahoma still has much of my grandmother’s possessions occupying space (we were tasked with getting rid of her furniture and many collections). 

So, I gave my children 6 of the homes and sold all but two.

In her negotiations with the buyer there will be 3 general piles of money - the land/building (real estate), the FFE (furniture, fixtures, equipment), and the good will (all the intangibles that make it worth what it is).If possible you'll want to negotiate as high an allocation to the real estate as possible. 

Buying property is a sustainable form of investment for your retirement and your children and future generations.

So, I gave my children 6 of the homes and sold all but two.

I have a tenant in a long term rental in NC who signed a lease several years ago with her husband and children on the lease.

It may seem foreign in the beginning, and you might say, "I have children living with me sometimes, so I can't have tenants," but no excuse is worth losing out on wealth-building.Be picky about your tenant and you'll not only have a great source of income to cover the mortgage, but you'll have someone who takes care of your property with you.

Just checked home depot's site now, free installation and removal of old carpet, includes stairs and moving furniture.