Tools like Rentometer and Roofstock can help with market analysis and property selection.Good luck!

(And then any state implications)Given this isn't pennies we're talking about- working with a qualified professional to help mitigate the tax would be your best bet. 

Thank you again for the guidance—it’s really helping me build a clearer strategy for reaching my goals! 

It's not fun, but it helps the site a lot.

I wanted to help them out and minimize their loss and saw an opportunity to get a property slightly below market because of my commission savings, immediate mortgage and maintenance relief, in addition to keeping a lower short term interest rate How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

What type of help is there for down payment?

I worked with a realtor to help me find this one.

Nobody is going to build "starter" homes unless there are incentives that help absorb your fixed costs - developing lots, utility connections, grading & surveying, etc.

It may be more worthwhile to find someone who has reasonable fees for their service as my two cents.I hope this helps in some way! 

He can spend the next few years-ish getting a finance degree through an online school while working part time, but he just got offered a full time position helping with sales for a local wholesale real estate company.