A lender is going to look at your experience, knowledge, and strategy when making the decision to lend money to purchase real estate.Good Luck and stay engaged!

You can check my profile to schedule a call if you like, I've helped dozens of BP members purchase here.

Additionally, I’m up for long distance investments but I would definitely need some mentoring there because it was hard enough managing the VT reno from Boston.My current strategy would be to rehab/flip a few houses a year so I can leave my W2 job and also add some buy and hold rentals (MFH, STR).

While my investments are up this year, I will use tax loss harvesting strategies to help offset the hit from the sale on my investment property this year.I will still invest some of the proceeds of the sale in properties as the opportunity arises, but now I am able to reset my basis and not worry about the large cap gains hit or continuing to put that large of a nut into continual 1031 exchanges if I decide to sell in the future.  

I’m active duty Air Force with a year left before retirement.Another great strategy is using your VA loan to purchase a multifamily property.

What innovative strategies are real estate professionals using to minimize capital gains tax on property sales?

I am looking at the same strategy.

Exploring the idea and it seems like it could be a good strategy. 

Do you think successful RE entrepreneurs need to chase small time investors money, mentor newbies and write books about their winning strategies in an already over competitive / saturated market?

You might have some luck with a house like that in midterm rentals but you'd have to be willing to really work on your strategy.