(https://learn.lofty.ai/en/articles/7025226-sell-equity-in-yo...)I understand I can also sell and do a 1031 - I've successfully done that once, and failed a second time (could not win an offer and ran out of time - had to pay a ton of capital gains tax). 

Please be gentle; I'm new at this and it's pretty complex :)Structure / Legal Details- we'd establish market value through a combination of comps from local real estate agent and an appraisal- attorney would establish all required "arms length" aspects including a mortgage at a minimum standard federal rate- LLC would pay us back based on a standard promissory note over 30 yrs Pros of selling to the LLC (I think)- A sale now would be the only time we'd be able to take advantage of the cap gains exclusion on this house bc we won't qualify for the "live there 3 of 5 years" rule due to the timing of our lease and our last time of residence. 

There is money in buying raw land and getting it permitted for build with plans and flipping it shovel ready 

the best plan might be to charge you full price then refund the money equally to you and your sister to avoid maximum taxes. 

We usually have people leave due to being unable to pay rent though and that may not be the case here.

Slow Pay vs No Pay. 

I found the owners information and am planning on reaching out.

2) In a cash-refinance, let's say the new appraised value of the apartments is $1.8M, does this mean you can apply the $300k into the HELOC and not pay taxes?

We pay taxes on every dollar we make.

We still have some tenants that bring rent to the office instead of paying online.