Come to an investor with a great deal and give up a piece to them in return for their cash and you'll have yourself a deal with none of your cash in. 

Actually corporations do not get a free stepped up basis, only the stock would if you sold the stock.

I’m looking to go to my first one in 2 weeks actually!

Most people do not actually do deals whether they pay $10 or $50,000 on a training. 

Additionally, does anyone have strategies or advice on how to confirm that the reported rent is actually being collected as stated?

Brightened the property with white paint throughtout; secured statement pieces in lighting and decor; selected attractive art and other decorative pieces What was the outcome?

They are sized like a piece of wood flooring, something like 5"x3'. 

I am getting my real estate license and speak with brokers in hopes of getting a piece of the action.

To double one's money from 100 to 200 in 10 yrs , Real estate would say that's a 10% yearly return when it is actually a 7.2% annual return due to compounding effects (rule of 72).

Apr. 1, 2010) (The Tax Court rejected a 1031 exchange because the taxpayer failed to demonstrate investment intent citing, among other factors, the taxpayers’ failure to research whether certain covenants permitted the use of the real estate as rental property and their minimal efforts to actually rent the property).