Do you think that’s a good idea?

I know we generally talk about redlining in terms of access to mortgages and other financial instruments, but doesn't NAR have some policies around it too and how real estate agents operate around the topic?

It's always better to check with your brother's CPA since he has all the background, but I would say short-term rental with material participation requirements met by your brother, then do cost segregation.

Do you still own them?

I’m not super experience but I do have a couple rentals.

If you take that cash and try to buy units in the area, ask yourself what are they selling for?

Sorry I didn't see it sooner.

Maybe she’s financially illiterate and won’t see what a scam your seller finance offer is, but she did have $100k laying around to buy the property, so probably not. 

It's going to be tough to buy a property without steady W2 income.  8k is a good start, but you might need to keep saving.  

Have yourself own an interest in the LLC, and have another entity you control own an interest and be the manager.