I don't know if this has been mentioned, but there is a mode to select your top level transform node, like a group, with the group selection mode in the status line. I think it's called hierarchy mode, beside the object and component selection modes. Then you can click once and you'll get your group transform node immediately. The only trouble there is that it's harder to get to the object level, because pickwalking (arrow keys) down won't necessarily select the object you want.

Wow, was that convoluted. Short version: try the group selection mode. But even better, group and use the arrow keys.