This is not a "real estate rental income" activity as defined by the IRS, so whether you are a REP or not, you can take this benefit.All of this is separate from a QOZ Investment, which would require you to first recognize a capital gain from another source (say a stock sale), invest that gain, hold it in a Corporate or Partnership structure (likely partnership), meeting the substantial improvement qualifications of being a QOZB, and then yes, you get to avoid the depreciation recapture at the end of the 10 year hold period, at least for the portion of your investment attributable to the original gain that you invested in the project. 

What resources / vendors exist out there for this?

If there's anyone who sees this that would be willing to hop on a quick 10-minute call to talk about possible career paths in real estate, I'd really appreciate it.

@Vincent Paventa You may want to skip trace owners of rooming houses in your targeted area and call them directly, this would probably be your best source of sound advice.

but if you're only doing this to help catalyze your investment path somehow... it's probably not going to help that much.the best way to build a network is just to spend time with other investors. 

I'd like to do fix and flips full time but don't quite have the capital to do this from the start.

I want to use this LLC but I do not want to keep the name. 

I have this plan where I first start out with a duplex , Rent 1 live in one for a year move back in with my parents and then leverage off that duplex to get another property right away.

Now, if you're main goal is cash flow, then this is likely not your place to go, but if you're open to cash-flow neutral, then you're likely to see some great long-term appreciation.I've worked with an awesome investment-minded Austin agent when she was buying up in Denver, and she's got rentals in Austin that are doing well, too. 

I would like this information to be clearly visible on the owner portal, including the payout, our commission, etc.Thank you in advance for your feedback and experiences.