I mean if you want to pay it go ahead, but just be advised you are getting taken to the cleaners. 

Exciting times ahead as you embark on your real estate journey.

Technology has gotten better and REI Reply is ahead of the class.

However I have little tolerance for knuckleheads that plow ahead not having a clue what they are doing.Buyers point of view. 

My mortgage would go up $781 for the next 30years,  the ADU income would more than cover & I hope to pay extra principal to cut my loan time -it's just I was hoping to pay off ADU within 5.5yrs- so that I can collect 'all' ADU income at that point <I'm fixed income & I lose 'some' personal income in 5yrs so trying to plan ahead on how to recoup that>.

If you have a trusted lender contact, then go ahead and get your pre-approval from them first and go shopping for agents afterwards.

My question is: does deferring tax through a DST get you further ahead than cashing out by paying the taxes.

Larger multifamily is my passion.You can see my bio by clicking on my pic . 

I've used Zillow and then click on the "Multifamily" selection and then can refine based on square footage or number of bedrooms typically.

I've closed loans with entities way less than 6 months old.You have a long road ahead of you of you can't bring the capital or credit.