At the same time, these guys have setup significant infrastructure for maintaining these properties (not just maintenance-wise but what looks to be significant technology investments), will they just dismantle those?

Sorry, trying to work this from my so called "smart phone"

@Greg HibanYep...I was looking for inputs here since there are some pretty smart folks in these forums, but I've already sent an email to my accountant to ask for some sit-down time to seriously discuss options and strategies. 

Also you will save money by "depreciating" half of the duplex, that's indirect money, but it saves you in taxes paid every year.Also, if you have the cash, try to leverage it and either flip smart alongside few buddies that know the game, though note flipping activity has slowed down across nation as inventory amount decreased and price increased.

In our technology age, you don't need college to do that.  

A very smart person once said "Cash is King, but leverage is God"!

Nobel Prize-winning physicist William Shockley practically invented Silicon Valley, turning California into the technological hotbed of innovation it is today.

Is now a smart time to get in?

That's a VERY smart first step. :)Liz

If they're smart, instead of telling you "it's not legal and no respectable agent/broker will allow" , they'll try to share another way to invest, do try to hear them out.