The effect is potentially quite significant, but that doesn't mean that the proposed investment is not the best one you can make for your plan despite the taxes.

What I found most effective is finding someone who wants to learn the business.

Buying based off of 2 years from now is dangerous. 

Not sure how that will effect our business once it is fully set up.

Scott's books on flipping and estimating rehab costs are also great sources of info.As far as wholesaling is concerned, Find out: Your target area; ALL costs of a mail campaign (list, letters, postcards, necessary office supplies, postage, etc); budget for 6 months-1year of mailings; develop scripts for prospective sellers (what to say to them); learn to track responses, follow-ups, conversion rates, overall campaign effectiveness, etc.Build your team; title company, RE attorney, cash buyers, closing agents, etc.Feel free to reach out if you need any info.

Would pulling out equity (cash out refi or heloc) have the same effect as selling and buying another property?

There is crime, drugs, and danger in most metro cities you'll just have to look when you get here, it's not hard to see what areas to avoid

It will effect the other lots . 

They are tired of wannabes and slum lords coming in and doing a half-A rehab putting the tenants potentially in danger.

We have a real estate attorney draft up something to the effect that upon sale of the home any money collected from the sale over 195k goes to us.