If you own it for 2 years as your official primary residence (where your driver's license and voting is registered, oh and where you officially live, of course), you'll qualify for the capital gains exemption up to $250k when you sell.Sometimes just having another pair of eyes helps to uncover your options.

You’re betting on appreciation and choosing to lose money monthly (rather than increasing a down payment) to make that educated guess and keep capital in the bank.

Because you have so much capital, you could do multiple projects at once and acquire many units. 

I have already had invested in 2 townhome properties with my own capital. and the gross yield is 5-6%. 

Friend puts up all the capital to purchase a house (SFR or MFR)2.

An arbitrary amount of time that can add thousands of dollars in unnecessary holding cost and slow the flow of capital.  

Generally speaking, if you are looking to live in the property or rent it out and be getting a loan from a conventional lender, you are better off putting under your name, simply because you'll have a hard time getting a loan otherwise.If you'll be flipping, an LLC is better but the capital you need upfront is usually larger.It all depends.Hope it helps.

I really like your post and response about upfront capital required in the SGV.

Capital drive for example runs parallel with Locust str. and North ave. these are 3 great streets to buy on.

I had to pay the commissions and the 1031 escrow fees but I was able to take the capital gain from the sale of one property and roll it into 6 replacement properties.