But I also recognize that the economy is uncertain, and taking on more leverage could be risky.Questions for the Community:Would you take out a Home Equity Loan to pay off the HELOC and invest in another property now?

Partner B will get $220,000 + the single wide, while Partner A's heirs will get the apartment building and the double wide.They intend to sell one property ( the double wide mobile home ) and use the proceeds to either pay down the loan or reinvest in another rental property (possibly in another market).To defer capital gains tax, they plan to use a 1031 exchange for reinvestment.Goals & Challenges:Tax Efficiency – Structure the transfers and payments to minimize tax liabilities for Partner A’s Spouse and the Children.Guaranteed Income for Partner A’s Spouse – Ensure a fixed monthly payment of $1,100/month while transferring ownership to the Children.Long-Term Investment for the Children – Build a solid rental portfolio to support future financial growth.Operating the LLC Under New Ownership – Ensure a smooth transition, including removing Partner A’s Spouse and Partner B from the LLC structure.Proposed Plan & Questions for Advice:Instead of outright gifting the 50% interest, the LLC will be restructured so that Partner A’s Spouse retains a Preferred Equity Stake that provides them $1,100/month in priority payments but gradually transfers ownership to the Children.Payments will only be made when rental income is sufficient (i.e., when rent increases to $850/unit).Partner A’s Spouse is willing to forgo payments in bad financial times but wants assurance that they won’t face any tax consequences on unpaid amounts.If Partner A’s Spouse passes away before full ownership transfer, the Children inherit the shares at a stepped-up basis (avoiding capital gains tax).Questions:How should the LLC Operating Agreement be structured to allow withholding payments when necessary without triggering tax or legal issues?

Nor do RE investing styles! 

I would lease first before committing to buy office condo is one of the worst as a profitable investment.

@Stacy A Stewart are you looking to purchase an investment property or primary residence with financing?

A duplex is a great way to start because that renter will help with your monthly out of pocket costs and it's a convenient way to get into real estate investing.

Simon, my investment group does lots of properties in Pitt. 

I highly recommend investing in a property management software, such as Hospitable, for syncing your calendar, automating messaging, and scheduling cleans, as well as a dynamic pricing tool, such as PriceLabs, for optimizing your pricing based on market demand, local events, and seasonality. 

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

For financing, there are programs like FHA loans for first-time buyers, and there may be local or state-level programs offering incentives for affordable housing investments.