Good Morning, I have someone who will be helping me get my journey started by gifting me 100k. 

For example, if one was your parent’s primary residence, or if your parent owned less that $1M in assessed value (as in, value on their property tax bill, NOT fair market value) and hadn’t made prior gifts of CA real estate, then the assessed value should only be able to go up a small % per year.

Although they would have no legal obligation to use the money for REI once we 'gift' the money to them, we would like to see them use the money to acquire assets of their own.Please give some honest feedback on this idea, or if you can think of a better way to giving an teaching.  

One of the things that did help with the existing tenants was a $50 gift card. 

All contracts, options, or other devices not based upon a substantial consideration, or that are otherwise employed to permit an unlicensed person to sell, lease, or let real estate, the beneficial title to which has not, in good faith, passed to such party for a substantial consideration, are hereby declared void and ineffective in all cases, suits, or proceedings had or taken under this chapter; however, this section shall not apply to irrevocable gifts, to unconditional contracts to purchase, or to options based upon a substantial consideration actually paid and not subject to any agreements to return or right of return reserved.

Is there a way to have only myself on the mortgage so he avoids liability and not count his $70,000 as a gift? 

My father/mom were planning on gifting me $35k to purchase my first rental property.

Adding you to the deed becomes a gift in equity and can cause your parents to pay gift tax (there are annual and lifetime limits).

My wife and I gift them $56,000.

A little kindness goes a long way, a gift certificate to Macdonald’s would be a nice gesture.