In exchange, he gave her a small rent discount and even helped her relocate some of the larger items.

Here are a few strategies to consider for funding a down payment:Partnering: Like Gregory mentioned, finding a partner who can contribute to the down payment in exchange for equity or a profit share is a solid option.HELOC or Cash-Out Refi: If you have equity in your home or another property, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or cash-out refinance can provide the funds you need.Private Money: Reach out to friends, family, or private investors who may be interested in lending you the down payment with a promissory note.Seller Second: In some cases, the seller might agree to finance a portion of the down payment as a second mortgage.Live Frugally and Save: It takes time, but reducing expenses and setting aside funds from your income is a tried-and-true method.The right approach depends on your situation and deal structure, but a mix of creativity and resourcefulness can go a long way.

@Ilia Zakharav, There's no problem in selling individual units and 1031 exchanging them as individuals. 

I'm currently planning to purchase a commercial multifamily building in Chicago with the proceeds of a 1031 exchange.

Or next meeting is Feb 20th, and we have some guest speakers coming to talk about DST investing and 1031/721 Exchange 

In exchange, I have first rights to sell the property through a power of attorney. once it sold, the seller get his agreed price, and I get the rest.

A mortgage lender can help determine if refinancing or tapping into equity might allow you to acquire additional properties.Consider a 1031 Exchange: If you're open to selling a current property, a 1031 exchange can defer capital gains taxes while enabling you to upgrade to a larger or more profitable asset.

I am in the same boat of either 1031 exchange or refi some of my small multi's to purchase a larger complex.

@Bayo Badejo Agreed, that Zip touches a lot of different areas, from the national park to south of exchange.

Ask questions to find out about their reasons for selling, desired next steps (i.e. relocation, 1031 exchange, etc.), and anything else that is important to them.Ask follow-up questions to dig deeper and learn more (without being too intrusive) then jot down any relevant notes so that you can reference them down the line during your follow-up calls.