on top of it being the slower winter months to boot, declared to the team that they would henceforth "specialize" in FTHB as the solution.

I would agree with the BP members above that you should sit down with an attorney and estate planning professional to discuss options, as you sound like your portfolio has several very unique needs, so the best solution for your situation would be a more personalized protection plan and estate plan.In the end there is no "perfect" way to legally protect your assets, as liability can be attached to you if you benefit from a property - so your ultimate goal is to create as many stop-gaps as you can to prevent lawsuits and slow them down.

I would link it, but it will get pulled.

I am in the middle of a refi to try and pull out equity that I have in it so that I can invest in another property.Sway

Once thing I learned from this failed purchase is put firm timelines on dates of completion with the option of you pulling out and or fines.  3.

Definitely get your finances ready and in order before you pull the trigger on an offer.

Hopefully, you can find someone to split the down payment with, or to fund the down payment completely.An alternative solution is that you could potentially find a hard money lender to fund the deal, but that will likely be difficult with no experience, even if its a homerun deal.Robert Leonard

I have a couple of retirement accounts that are not making much in the stock market so we are looking into pulling the $30k we need for it (my lender can give 15% down payment). 

This may be a good solution for you but be sure to understand the law and operate it properly so you don't lose the protections afforded.Most investors I deal with own the property in their own name.

Some homeowners don’t want to traditionally list their properties so I’d like to have the ability to pull out the wholesale tool to “fix” the issue.