However, when peeling back the layers I find myself at dead ends time and time again. 

Wear a mask.

Licensed with permits ~$3,250.HWT standard gas single family low efficiency without exhaust retrofit $900.Sand and stain hardwood floors, natural stain $3 per sf.Paint interior walls, ceiling trim and doors 3 tone paint scheme 2 coats $3.20 per sf (floor area cost includes paint)Click lock LVT flooring install overlay inclusive of prep and quarter round $4.50 per sf (materials and labor)Asphalt roof installation 3/1 - 800 sf bungalow with 2 layers of shingles - ~$7,900Standard porch cap replacement with 2 new precast concrete steps ~$2,500Used stove or refrigerator delivery and install $350New stove or refrigerator delivery and install $HD model specificUse this as a general guideline. 

Every flip is like peeling back layers of an onion, but this one came with tears, sweat, and the occasional scream into the void.

There simply isn't enough margin in this business to layer on a national company, without charging you an arm and a leg and/or doing a substandard job.

The pref layer is a third party institutional player.  

The calculation involves:Selling Price: $1,075,000Original Purchase Price: $355,000Depreciation Recapture: $105,300 (taxed at 25%)Capital Gains: Sale price minus original cost, minus depreciation, minus selling costs (~15-20% federal capital gains rate for their income bracket).State Taxes: Since the property is in California, state capital gains taxes will also apply.Given the multiple layers, I’d highly recommend your parents work with both a CPA experienced in real estate and a qualified intermediary for the 1031 if they choose that route.If you need recommendations for professionals in Illinois or California, feel free to ask!

You can also leave out some bulk hotel toothbrush/toothpastes, make up removers, earplugs, sleeping masks, etc. if you really want to step up a "In Case You Forgot" basket.You can keep a closet with extra of things that has a lock on it and if someone is irrate because they don't have enough pods, you can at least have a back up solution for them if you choose too. 

Requiring a copy of a government-issued ID is a good extra layer of security.

This is a complicated situation with multiple layers to consider, so here’s my take based on your questions:If you’re looking to move assets from the partnership into individual LP (Limited Partner) names while avoiding capital gains, you’ll need a strategy that complies with tax regulations.