Since each taxing municipality has different mill rates (property tax rates) a 1031 exchange into a state or municipality within a state where the mill rate is lower can help. 

However, short of my stock portfolio, which I don’t want to touch as it does well too, I don’t have the cash to buy my first deal.

I would try and do a 1031 exchange.   

If the property is bleeding money every year from repairs, maintenance, or turn over you'll never get ahead.You can tap equity with a HELOC (challenging right now), cash-out refinance into a new loan (much higher rates), 1031 exchange, or sell (tax hit) but the numbers and property condition need to guide this decision.

Reasons were many, but financially speaking, I had received a growth opportunity from my employer in exchange that I relocate to another part of the country.

 Flic and Flips don’t typically qualify for 1031 exchange tax benefits. 

Just make sure they won’t place a lien on your company.Equity Partner: Consider bringing in an equity partner to help with the $300K down payment in exchange for a share of the property.Renegotiate Terms: Try to renegotiate the closing date or lower the down payment amount.

However, since this is your primary residence, it doesn’t qualify for a 1031 exchange unless you convert it into a rental and hold it for a period before selling.To avoid capital gains taxes using the Section 121 exclusion, you’d need to have lived in the property for at least 2 years, which you haven’t met yet.

They deliver the unit, service it, keep it stocked, etc. and then you split profits.

Dumb mailers mail an off-the-shelf, stock letter by someone else, and do it just once and no follow up.