I do plan to flip a house here or there if a great deal presents itself, and use the money made from that to either pay off existing mortgages (unfortunately then having to pay capital gains) or purchase a few more rentals.

You won't pay taxes on the first $250K in capital gains, and you'll have enough money to plow back into another primary residence and traditional investment property.I started out like this and went from a studio to a 2BR and investment property within 5 years. 

If the record owner is deceased, absent a secured creditor gaining title via foreclosure, you'll need to find someone with standing to legally be able to pass marketable title to you.Determine PETIO:PropertyEquityTitleInterestsOpportunity.Check death certificate, obits, neighbors for leads re: relatives, social media, and obviously name search the decedent online. 

Giving someone a heads up about a deal that is on the market doesn't hurt you at all and you gain some nice karma points.

In general, when you have added value to a property to the point where your incremental gains in value will generate returns on your capital in the deal that are below your target ROI (about 5% to 8% per year for me), it’s time to start thinking about selling.

This being a 4,000 s.f. 7br/4ba1900's SFH that was being operated as a legal duplex (major fixer).Being in Vermont, with the Vermont Land Gains Tax, my Vermont investments are scheduled for exit at least 2-3 years down the road to minimize that tax.

Failure to do this can result in per-diem fines.There will also be a withholding on the capital gains taxes realised from the sale.More information can be found at the CRA Website.DeathHow things proceed upon death will depend upon how you hold (own) the property.  

ThanksGreg You didn't specify the upside nor speak of a value add play in the deal so it's a little difficult to speculate how to best structure a creative financing package.Assuming it's a value add play with good risk adjusted gains at the end of the process then maybe the safest route is to negotiate a wrap transaction with the seller, and if your are concerned about a due on sale clause make it contingent on the lenders approval.The seller will confront these same financing scenario issues with all other buyers so if they want to sell the property then they can either deal with the issue with a reset and able buyer, you, or kick the can down the line looking for another buyer who maybe willing to assume a less than stellar financing package.As the buyer though your only concern should be the financing package that delivers you title, assuming you plan on making extensive improvements to the property, and allows you to earn what you determine is a reasonable cash flow from the project.Options aren't bankable.

I to will put forth in knowledge that I currently have and gain over time.

i am trying to gain as much education as possible to understand how to evaluate property deals i would really love some advice right now any beautiful minds out there