I know what my choice is; Be fearful when others are greedy.

Is this something I have no choice to take a hit for?

In the end you need to look at your assets, your risk and your insurance and make good business choices based on the needs you have.The Land Trust will essentially offer a few benefits, but for this case the primary benefits would be avoiding the clause and removing your name from public record.

This is why I sometimes argue with other investors passionatly about their behaviour when it is 100% profit driven and IMO without consideration of the impact on the public - I don't want to be seen as a predator, who takes advantage of people that are what some call highly motivated (= they have no choice); I run a for-profit business, but we should not put dollars and profit over our social responsibilities - and in the end out public image.

If having physical US branches is important then TD would be the preferred choice. 

There is zero value (negative value to be honest) in leaving equity sitting dead in a property therefor what ever your decision the right choice is always to pull the money one way or another.

If you keep doing this, it will stop being a choice and start being another cost out of your pocket ever time!"

The obvious other choice is to tap into equity and go for BRRRR-like method repeatedly. $500 is a tall order to find, true net in this market, for quality neighborhoods. 

I did the same thing, and ended up being one of the best choices I ever made in my life..

So ratio analysis is also a better choice.