I am currently contributing to my 401(k)... and after my exercise, I'm going to stop.

Again, this is not an exercise in which school can provide you a higher quality rather which school provides better marketing/networking opportunities.

If nothing else, you need an architect for most permitting exercises anyway.Glad to see there are some seasoned architects here.

As an architect, maybe you have somebody or you are going to try and GC yourself, but that point is not clear in your post.Your question is a worthy intellectual exercise. 

Going to a lender and understanding what your borrowing ability is still a valid exercise.  

I was expecting 1 of my 5 rentals to possibly have an issue with rent and had some options available to help the renter out , but did not need to exercise that.We will see if this continues next month.

Not taxable until exercised for me and a store of value and cash stash for the Optionee. 

Plus 3 months rent for early possession paid up front until the close, separate from the earnest money deposit.So we lost one months rent but it was worth the exercise & we did meet a lot of interesting people from so many walks of life, all struggling to find a home.

Also, I think I remember reading that Donald Trump at one point titled his properties in his own PERSONAL name.Is this seeming obsession with LLCs actually a worth while exercise (especially for a first deal), or is it propaganda from the legal profession that people just buy into?

I know the BEST answer is hiring it out, but margins are slim and I need the exercise hehe.