This is not a "real estate rental income" activity as defined by the IRS, so whether you are a REP or not, you can take this benefit.All of this is separate from a QOZ Investment, which would require you to first recognize a capital gain from another source (say a stock sale), invest that gain, hold it in a Corporate or Partnership structure (likely partnership), meeting the substantial improvement qualifications of being a QOZB, and then yes, you get to avoid the depreciation recapture at the end of the 10 year hold period, at least for the portion of your investment attributable to the original gain that you invested in the project. 

In most cases, I bring a printed lease when I exchange keys for payment, have them sign it, go home and make them a copy, and then either mail them their copy or drive it back over.

You could also refi the property with an 80% LTV, take less funds but have more stabilityGino Hey Gino,If I were to get rid of the duplex, I think I would go with a 1031 exchange but to my understanding, since I live in one apartment, I don't think I qualify for one. 

I've also seen people who squirrel money away and then lose it in the stock market or some other investment like strips or something . 

Whenever you subtract inventory and reduce the housing stock you get the adverse effects you'd expect.  

If you do exchange messages with the tenant there may also be other documentation to back this up for example a message from your tenant saying something like "Since I'm the only tenant its a little harder now, but I will have the rest of the rent on Friday".

Unless you do a 1031 exchange you’ll owe about 15% of the gain and 25% of the depreciation to the federal government.

It's only 3.5% down + closing costs and reserves.Work your day job, mow lawns, leaf cleanup, shovel snow, flip furniture, pick up night shifts waiting tables/bartending, stock shelves at home depot overnight if you hate talking to people or anything else.

Luckily these two individuals, separate states and realtor companies, had everything working and running smoothly including my title and exchange company.

My father would be willing to help us out in basically any way that he could, in exchange for modest monthly payments going forward, and is content limiting his capital gains exposure with the owner financing.