Are there minimums you’re required to sell per year? 

Also, new appliances are a great selling point.  

So, they are prepaying interest, even if they sell in 2 years, or if prevailing rates do come down.  

Personally I’d sell, if the capital gains after selling costs exceed $80k I’d consider a 1031.

I’m thinking about selling one of my debt free rentals to pay off the loan of the new house – thus erasing the $3500/month loan payment.

They deed it out of the owners name OR they have someone with a fake (looks real) ID show up to sell at the closing table. 

If I sell it in 1031 exchange, can I then get another rental, rent it out for 2 year and then make it my primary residence i.e. homestead and that way avoid any depreciation recapture and capital gains?

Min buy in is 50k, pays quarterly distribution. timeline 5-7 yrs, getting very good loan from insurance co source at 6.75% or so with interest only on yrs 1-3 then no defeasance penalties thereafter if they re-fi or sell.

I am building houses on these lots and wish to sell to people who have capital gains so that they can benefit from the tax breaks.  

It's not even close to as easy as what you hear on the podcast or the courses they try to sell you.