There is so much to learn and it is the first time that I've been on a resource like this where the help is so freely given!

The only reason to defer the capital gain would be to reduce the tax liability in the event someone anticipated a lower tax burden/rate later on.There is also the potential that your purchasing power could be stronger in today's market than it would be in a future market and keeping that money in circulation will benefit your portfolio long term, but that is even more speculative than trying to determine what tax rate you will pay in the future, and the longer you plan to hold the resources before cashing out and paying the taxes the more speculative it is.

As a person interested in restoring the house they will speak to you freely.

There's also one  in Falls Church at a KW office hosted by Washington Capital Partners.You can (and should) listen to the multitude of podcasts here on BP and read read read posts and blogs to get a good sense of where to go and what to do, but there's no substitute for going out and meeting lenders, Realtors and investors who will freely give you advice or may even JV with you to make a deal work.  

Us head brokers have an ongoing joke circulating that agents want the world and want to pay nothing for it without putting the dues and time in.

I have a few clarification questions: You said "have access to", I don't mean to pry but is the money yours to freely do with as you wish(you do not have to pay back at a certain time).

Depends state-by-state but generally you just take title to the home (eg, actually buy it yourself), then you can advertise it freely and openly and negotiate whatever deals you want.

You're bound to get an answer or 12 from our members, who share their knowledge and experiences freely.

John has provided you some very valuable information & you are now going to freely pass it along to your negotiating counterparty? 

True Mastermind Meetings are lead by facilitators who are skilled at getting all attendees to participate and share freely what they have learned.