But two years ago we never even considered investing in real estate so we bought  a house that was not a good investment and is now a huge obstacle preventing us from getting started on the investment path.

I want to make real estate investing my main business in the future and this deal would keep my money tied up preventing me from getting into the next dealThank you very much for the great advice it really helped me make my decision. 

It's a huge problem, because laws in Germany prevent/make it more difficult for us to do Real Estate.

I agree that there are some unsettling trends, but they are local and i can't quite get my head around their root causes.  

The LLC will prevent someone from going after yours and your partners' personal assets in the case of a lawsuit/judgment relating to the properties.

“They also persuaded Homeland Security to seize all of our family’s passports and obtained a court order to prevent us from leaving the country through means of a flood.” “ We all all being investigated as terrorists as well.”

Also on the porch, is there a way to brace the structure to prevent movement and then fill the gap where it is pulling away?

I don't know Maine but the NFPA  (National Fire Prevention Act?) 

You may have a due-on sale clause that prevents you from doing this anyway.

I am located in Nashville, TN at the moment but am rooted in New Orleans.