They want to buy the home from me but are running into issues with debt to income ratio, so not eligible for FHA. 

Is there anyone on here in the Brevard, Orange, or Volusia county area that has gone through the tax deed auction process?

Is your DSCR ratio greater than 1-meaning are you cash flowing (according to the lender's criteria of mortgage, property taxes and insurance (and HOA) if applicable).

While we do not see income from these properties and are not managing them we do have a significant amount of depreciation and losses that have been assigned to us and carried over from the past couple years.I am invested in some growth/equity focused projects already and am specifically looking in reliable income focused strategies that are tax efficient provided the losses I have from my family.

My CPA advised me to split the generic costs such as property tax and water bills equally between both units, which seems reasonable.

there are many tax complications?

If I had given them a loan with payments, it affects the debt to income ratio.

Over one million apartments were “abandoned” to the tax authorities in NYC in the 1970s by landlords who saw no way of ever turning a profit or even selling their property for more than they owed in taxes.  

I think funds offer more flexibility, but why not take advantage of the tax benefits of a REIT structure? 

Questions I'd have if I were in your shoes would be based around how the CAM expenses, management, taxes etc are going to work.