For instance, they could pay $16,500 in repairs to be paid to contractor and the other $3,500 they contribute to your closing costs.  

I hope I contributed value. 

I'm curious if investors in these sized deals appreciate enough that you are putting in sweat equity that they do not expect a pref.If you don't contribute any of your own capital, is there a generally accepted equity split that you have found desirable to your investors?

What happens is all checks come in to S-Corp and you get a W-2 from the S-CorpBig advantage is you can give yourself some very generous benefits (like retirement contributions) if you want your W-2 low - As long as ALL employees get the same generous benefits. 

I'm still employed and contributing, so I can't withdrawal. 

If you segregate the components of a house, you can contribute a portion of the value to each component.

Qualified Opportunity Funds, selective tax loss harvesting (although keep wash sales in mind), 529 plan contributions, retirement account contributions, tax credits for EVs and energy efficient home improvements.All great stuff to talk to your advisors about. 

Ironic, because I could have rented the house at a lower rate than the mortgage would cost to someone who buys it new (thanks to appreciation) so their unfriendly laws are contributing to lack of affordable housing.

Regardless, you'd want to confirm with your lender you're able to make extra contributions to principal under the loan terms 

You will contribute the asset to the LLC.