If it wasn’t the insurance it would have been the property taxes.

As an investor and a commercial real estate broker I would not expect a buyer  to spend a dime on due diligence unless the buyer/seller come to an agreement on a purchase contract.

Fannie/Freddie (Conventional) loans aren't just about rate and transfer taxes. 

There are many tax accountants on Bigger Pockets that can help you with your situation. 

Unlikely to be any tax due if this is your first gift, but it will count against your lifetime exclusion down the road. 

If your friends have a rental they should hire a tax professional. 

It seems a stretch to pay for the Rig with Section 179.I would have development equipment onboard and dedicate a portion of the space to developmentI could put the companies logo on the side as advertisementGiven this, what tax strategies are actually practical?

Non pay of prop tax's non pay of insurance  Waste, etc. 

I'm currently abroad, and look for someone who can, for a fee, perfom all due dilifgence for me - call the city building departments, find out about any restrictions.

They lowered the “taxable value” by 40-50% and then raised the tax rate about 35-45% lowering everyone’s taxes that year.