Then instead of paying capital gains tax on the remaining 100k, I'd roll it into a CRT in order to defer taxes.

(besides online to pay for it)Thx!

Expect to pay $120-170 per square foot since it's an existing structure.

Cash out refi 2 other properties residential properties, use the funds to build, keep original residential loan on land3. 1031 1 or 2 properties to pay for construction.  

This means the owners will have to pay for the renovation.

We suddenly had 2 homes and began exploring what our options were and that is when we discovered the intriguing world of REI and tapped into Bigger Pockets and Better Life Tribe, etc. to begin our education.In the time since his death and the probate process we have been paying his mortgage off and selling items from the home which we have been maintaining.

That probably also varies by state.If it was administratively closed, you might had some significant expense to resurrect it - like paying 10 years of back fees and filing 10 years of back reports. 

The goal with this strategy is to have low living expenses as your tenants are helping you pay down your mortgage.

VA loan, very close to no money down, but we did pay a little out of pocket to coverHow did you add value to the deal?

Find a narrow area, then focus on improving your expertise/knowledge and you will have an informational edge that will pay huge dividends long term because unlike most people you will know what the true value of an asset is and can calmly pull the trigger when others are scared and can calmly not pull the trigger when others blinded by greed.