Both properties are located on the east side of Houston and present solid investment opportunities.

Using the deferred tax as part of your reinvestment will do wonders for what you are able to buy.You get access to greater reinvestment potential, as well as not having to recapture any depreciation.If you do need access to some cash, you can either take some out as part of the closing (only the cash you take will be taxed.

We are looking to invest in whatever opportunities present.

Subsidized Housing and Section 8:You’re right that Section 8 and subsidized housing present economic challenges for landlords, which is why so many avoid it.

An agent has very little incentive to not to present your offer to the seller.

The "cash-for-equity" program from QuickLoans appears to be a shared-equity or deferred repayment model, where you receive upfront cash in exchange for giving up a portion of your future equity.

Although, for it to be a criminal trespass.. something that will actually hold up, he would have to be present with the police there.

they're often much more expensive than they appear because they have deferred maintenance that has been adding up over decades. 

For instance, states like California, Oregon, Montana, and Massachusetts have "clawback" provisions, meaning they may tax deferred gains if you eventually sell the replacement property and don't reinvest within the state.

Based on your age & needs, you could consider a variable annuity (stock market) vs a fixed or deferred annuity (more like a long term CD).