I would avoid combining your properties into a portfolio.  

Without knowing more detail, to avoid paying taxes on your indirect gift (if you do both profit-loss/capital both 50/50), you need to do 50/50 profit-loss interest and 0/100% capital interest on the initial contribution amount or he gets his 100% contribution before anyone gets paid. 

.   :-)Now, I probably wouldn't buy sight unseen either, BUT I can absolutely help someone else do it, and I treat all my clients like they are my own mom: telling them exactly where I'm buying and avoiding, setting realistic income expectations, and referring them to other good professionals for the stuff that I don't do. 

I've done the live in flip a few times to avoid the capital gains tax up to 250k and will utilize it even more once married, as it then moves up to 500k.

As the other comment says, this plan is technically loan fraud as well so how will you avoid the legal implications?

Avoid ever paying cash because it is not traceable and hard to prove you actually paid the money.

Lastly, for those in Miami, are there areas you would recommend to buy in, and conversely areas to avoid, for this type of investment.Best,Jim

Lastly, for those in Miami, are there areas you would recommend to buy in, and conversely areas to avoid, for this type of investment.Best,Jim

I would prefer to do it at closing to avoid the transfer tax associated with moving it into the LLC post closing 

If a large percentage of the population is struggling financially do they have trouble affording rent and avoid it?