According to the article, around 5% of the properties are being bought by investment companies, leading to concerns that regular homebuyers are being priced out of the market.1) Do you think this could become a long-term issue, given that the current percentage of investor-bought properties is relatively small?

Both of our employers now offer roth 401k contributions instead (with matching going into regular 401ks), and I may take advantage of that too, but another small hit to cash flow.At some point, do you just suck it up and take a 10% penalty?

A clean U&O means the Seller doesn't have to do anything.The home inspector is a different issue.

One that I'm getting close (hopefully) to the end of, was a flip that was a public nuisance property with two lots on either side full of junk (like 10 dumpsters worth..)There was great opportunity with the house, but we bought the other lots as well and cleaned them up (as no one would ever buy the house with those lots filled with junk). 

Transitioning from builder’s risk to a regular property insurance policy might be the way to go if the sale takes longer than expected.

When they move out, I can access their account to charge for cleaning and repairs.

@Nadia Jones Starting and running a fund is a separate business because it's something that you need to actively market for and regularly work on attracting capital to invest in. 

Maybe you could extend the closings with some additional earnest money (even if you release it) and buy the time so you can simply do a regular 1031 exchange.  

For a regular 1031 you will find a range of prices from 900 ish to 1500 ish for a complete exchange. 

This is due to bonus depreciation which allows taxpayers to deduct 100% of qualifying property costs in the first year, in addition to regular depreciation for new construction and improvement.