My main investments are in 2 Sub S corporations that will not enable the properties to get the benefit of the free stepped up basis. 

Google voice them with "Do not disturb" enabled.

Wouldn't that enable them to do the deal without me?

That is my plan, but although they know our current net worth, I don't let my kids plan on this - I tell them my plan is to extract value from every dollar of our net worth, party to death and die with exactly zero net worth!

Just like how the ultra low rates have enabled "too many" people to become homeowners, its created this flood of investors who couldn't invest before to use enhanced cash flow to enable them to invest and attempt to scale.While I haven't read the book you cited, I'm guessing it started with appreciation for wealth generation, then you switch over to larger apartment buildings for cash flow for your retirement. 

The FHA 203k loan program enables borrowers to finance home purchases or refinancing along with renovation costs.

Remote working has enabled this opportunity. 

I'm imagining a strategy where you refi upwards every year, extracting equity, and this basically causes your loan payments to keep pace with annually rising rent payments.Conservatively, suppose your lenders require 25% down/equity, and your property appreciates at 4%/year.

To enable growth for my database/network.

“In my view, no state statute enables this type of arrangement.