This brings me to now, I've taken this approach and have used my own money in lending, but am also bringing in friends and family to take part in these transactions so they can earn way better returns than with CD's.

I’d fix it up and list it to sell after I’d been there two years to take the gain tax free.

If you need financial help, ask under the "Finance, Tax, and Legal" forum.

Investors often obsess over how to defer tax obligations and ultimately make poor investments due to being hyper focused on taxes.

I have 2 options:- finance the construction pre-selling the apt, and take my profits (expected to be around 700K pre-tax); or- finance the construction with a 6-7%/year loan (collateral = my house), keep the 10 units, and once the building is completed in 24 months, rent them for circa 180K/ year gross.

We are in a very low tax bracket this year but should be 10% higher in 2025.

If the signs point to selling, consult your CPA about the tax implications.

You did purchase the property in one tax year and are selling it in another tax year which satisfies one of the court rulings. 

@Andrey ShostakA tax calculator would be nice.

Typically its done for open space or use for community property (ie. fire station location or other county use) and typicaly would assist in increasing tax base.