If don't do a 1031 exchange and decide to pay capital gains, I would have about $450k free of taxes (this accounts depreciation and other costs).

And in a 1031 exchange the tax payer has to stay the same. 

Then get hit with the capital gains tax, but then when you buy second property and live in there 2 years and sell, do you get to transfer over the 2 years no tax benefit since you did not use it on the first property?

We got SUPER lucky every step of the way but I knew it was luck saving us from the red.

I would look into getting a registered agent address lots of offerings for this type of service it will help a little with privacy and peace of mind but you can and will be found...For example my county took out the name search for property records but if you go to the tax claim bureau site you can still easily search by name and business name.   

It may help if you give some details on the area, how much you are charging per room, utility costs, taxes, etc. 

Sign landlord name digitally and save the copy.3.

But have you ever considered how beneficial they can be as a tax strategy for estate planning?

I am curious if the fees I am being presented are in line with market norms:lender app fee: $10,000Origination fee 1% ($20,000)Lender costs: shows a fixed amount at $10,000processing fee $895registration fee $10,000Title and escrow fees: $4,000 est.6.5% rate fixed at 10 yearsPrepayment Penalty: Yield Maintenance months 1-114 (1% minimum)Third Party ReportsApppraisal Required Engineering Required Environmental N/A Seismic Report N/A Market Study N/A Funded EscrowsReal Estate Taxes Required Prop/Liability Insurance Required Special Assessments N/A Ground Lease N/A Replacement Reserves N/A Required Repairs TBD Debt Service Reserve N/AWould love to hear your thoughts on this as well as what you think is appropriate fees for the freddie mac sbl program. 

The Mortgage would be around $3587/ month including insurance, taxes, Mortage insurance.