Fourth question: Does anyone know of a Cost Seg specialist in Birmingham?

Working with a qualified cost segregation specialist or tax professional can ensure that you maximize the benefits and comply with IRS guidelines.ROI Analysis: Evaluate the potential cost of the cost segregation study against the expected tax savings over time.

Having a diverse portfolio of assets can aid in risk management.To make decisions that are in line with your retirement goals and financial well-being, you must do extensive study, maybe with the help of financial specialists.

Especially when it comes to more complex or niche topics I would prefer to have a specialist I can meet with online vs a generalist I can meet in their office. 

These are real estate specialists, and you can interview as many as you like and see their BP profiles.

- Does anyone have experience working with a cross-border CPA/tax specialist who understands these issues and can advise me on how to manage US tax compliance for my Kenya Airbnb properties?

My tax specialist is telling me I owe about $16k in capital gains tax because I had converted the house for commercial use.

I would have a foundation specialist look at the property before going any further.

There are very few "self-directed IRA" specialist CPA's out there. 

Contractor should be good at assessing foundation : if it it a big foundation problem, get a foundation specialist to assess: and give you guidance for scope of work, and still have contractor do the work.