If you want to avoid commissions altogether, buy stuff that's not on the mls.

I have family in the town I'm building who work construction so I'd be able to pay them as contractors for some of the work on the home and more importantly I'd have people to keep eyes on it for me in between trips back and forth.My question: is there any way I can avoid capital gains on this investment build?

When entering the room, you have to do this weird limbo dance to avoid walking right into copper pipe.  

AVOID MLM!

I have installed a few...mainly to avoid CO issue with old HW tanks, to replace high cost units & in family owned homes where hot water demand is high.

Avoid them if possible. 

I do not want to get rushed into something just to make my 1031 work to avoid taxes.

Use BP, network with professionals, and avoid speculation.Welcome!

BLUF- if you can avoid rezoning do it.

However, he recently called his bank about the situation and they told him that they have an assumable loan for him to use if he is ready...I am trying to avoid 20% down as I need to repair the property with my cash reserves.