So I disputed the additional charge. 

Find a valuable agent to list them, or work with @Dave Foster to 1031 properties, and you'll be less stressed. 

We rehabbed the entire property and added an additional bedroom to each of the units.

Additionally, do you have any other ideas or strategies that might help achieve his goals without incurring a tax liability?

In addition to those I would also suggest making a commitment to going to local meet ups and networking events in your area.

Additionally, I expect applicants to follow instructions in the advertisement and application, to make and keep appointments, to show up on time for appointments, dress and behave appropriately at appointments, and in general demonstrate throughout the process that they are someone that is easy and pleasant to do business with.

He also used to take land that wasn’t valuable as is and get it re-zoned for residential/commercial, draw up blueprints and sell the vision.

Additionally, you want to start building your "Core 4": agent, GC, lender, and PM. 

In hindsight I probably should have gotten an additional HVAC-specific inspection and tested the measurements for the actual washer/dryer space.

In addition, suncoast will charge you a 1 month rent just to get the property filled, so you are already starting off massively underwater.