Hopefully you can take advantage of some 100% bonus depreciation to get a nice offset for your 2021 taxes.2.

There is some chance tenants will not know their rights under rent control, but I would not rely on this and I am not sure it is ethical to take advantage of their ignorance (I know the tenant advocates would say this is not right).  

Are there are any known tax advantages to giving your space out for free or for a discount?

I explored the idea of forming an LLC, but we would both like to obtain a non-commercial loan to take advantage of lower down payments.

I am in the position where I have a decent portion of stocks, they were left to me and I really have no interest in that market.Now many people take advantage of using a 1031 exchange to go from property to property and I was curious if there is anything out there that would help avoid the tax burden of just selling off stocks to fund a first purchase.Thanks you in advance for any and all help. 

Worst case is you have to pay them to get their crap out of your property I guess.But stop being so nice, or do you actually enjoy being taken advantage of?

Take advantage of all the members here who are already doing what you want to be doing.

I want to take advantage of some of the other equity I have in the home.

This is what I am doing first unless some amazing deals just come by sooner rather than later that are impossible not to take advantage of. 

From what you have described, you are far too early on in your journey to take advantage of a mentor or course.