Since the potential properties can be removed from the list in last min,  my major concern is when i fly in, the properties i'd liketo bid on could be already invalid from the list at auction. 

., 100% off on data. 5 properties, so not a "deep dive", But enough to give me concern on this platform.

I am looking to see if another accountant would be better.Please clarify what are your concerns about them.

As for foundation or other concerns about the condition of the property, there's no real way to know for sure since you don't have access to inspect the house before the auction (hence the risk).

My main concern now is the unfinished porch.I'm receiving bids that are all over the map: some are as low as $1,300 for labor, while others range from $4,000 to $10,000.

We are concerned that the new interest rate will create negative cashflow on the rental.

@Adolphus Fletcher Like others have mentioned, gaining a non-recourse loan is a challenge unless in some cases where the loan is a commercial style loan of $5MM+ and the borrowing entity has strong income & assets to satisfy the lender's concern tied to the guarantee of the loan.

It sounded great at first but the more I thought about it the more questions and concerns I kept coming up with. 

Move-in, mid-lease, renewal/move-out, plus any other time we have severe weather or other concerns relative to the property's conditions and maintenance. 

In any case there is no taxable event yet.As far as your brother is concerned, it again depends on the nature of the transaction.