This withholding is an estimated tax on your potential capital gain taxes.Estate and gift taxes: If a foreign investor buys U.S. real estate under their name, the real estate property will be subject to U.S. estate tax upon the death of the foreign investor.

I was fortunate enough to receive a gift of equity on this property to cover the down payment and my mortgage is around 168k.

From Indias GIFT City to Israel the global real estate sector is experiencing changes that are set to transform the industry as we currently know it.As we stand at the threshold of an era, in estate lets welcome innovation seize opportunities and navigate towards a more promising future.

Many DSCR loans don't allow for gift funds as its meant for investment properties so that can be a challenge when it comes to finding partners to help you fund this deal.

Moreover I like to make sure they are happy along the way by checking in, sending gifts on holidays etc.

I've thought of 3 different approaches - 1. co-borrow...multiple parties on deed, entitled to % rent & depreciation based on investment, have "access" to property2. co-sign...multiple parties not on deed, negotiate % rent & depreciation based on investment, no legal access to property3. side-deal...parties gifts the down payment, operator must qualify for loan, all other details TBDAre there more approaches/options?

If they know, love, and trust you, and think you will be successful running rental property, maybe have them gift you each year for a couple of years enough down payment money. 

The time consumers is welcoming tenants, property handbook, welcome gift, etc.

I think that is fine, but there is another way.That way to look at it is that the family member is giving the other family member a gift to get started.

If you have a cell phone you have no privacy.I am Not talking about an owner occupied borrower who lost a job but can go back to work and a lender gifts a modification.Many of these subject to deals with investors the original borrower is not paying, the sale price is inflated, there are seconds and thirds who won't have the money to payoff the first, and the "investor" has no reserves or team to deal with: code violations, a fire, non paying tenant, is far away from subject...