4) would this also work to defer gains on fix and flips?

I do not have 5 layers of management that make my rates higher, no lender I work with pays for my office space, licensing, benefits, marketing department, compliance department.... 

All the depreciation and the capital gains go away.

Its a very poor situation for the original owner to be on the mortgage for years and years without the benefits of ownership and the control.  

Quote from @Noah Bacon: Hi Robert,Stessa and RentRedi provide different benefits and features.

I'll make sure to spend the initial deals learning and asking questions to gain practical insights.

I haven't lived in it long enough to be exempt from capital gains, good point on that.

Your sibling can use a 1031 exchange to defer capital gains taxes on the sale of the rental properties by reinvesting the proceeds into like-kind investment properties.

The investor has to be gaining cash flow or equity to make it worth it.

The decisions and actions you make today can lead to incredible long-term benefits, so it's great that you're starting now.A good starting point is connecting with a lender that aligns with your goals.