Any pitfalls to watch out for with tax basis, depreciation, or gift/estate complications down the road? 

It used to be more common when gift card churning was hot, but most banks caught on.

My lender is trying to get me to sign a 1-4 sales contract with things like a gift of equity from old owner, calling her the seller and me the buyer, but I am not the buyer.

If you have a friend or mentor that wholesales and has one they've used successfully that is also an option, but wholesale contracts are more intricate even that standard real estate contracts and need to be done exactly right. 

The world needs you where you have passion and the hard days and times are not so hard because your doing what you love, the work is a gift. 

It is also a very happy owner who allowed flexibility in the midst of it all—and is now thrilled to have had a smooth transition between tenants, with an adequate scope of work, a plan for and virtually no impact to income.It is also me, happily gifting this trim "damage" from the disposition letter.

Hi BP Community, I’m helping a family member (high W-2 income, excellent credit, based in the Bay Area) explore creative paths to primary homeownership in a high-cost market (Menlo Park, CA).They are fully capable of covering a mortgage in the $2.0M–$2.3M range, but like many, liquidity is the blocker—no family gift, no stock windfall, and equity is currently tied up in a second home in Palm Springs.We’re looking into two models:Silent Co-Ownership•Investor contributes all or part of the down payment• My family member would live in the home full-time and covers 100% of the monthly mortgage, tax, insurance, and maintenance•Equity and appreciation are shared based on initial structure•Clear buyout option or exit terms in ~5–7 yearsLease-to-Own•Investor buys the home• Multi-year lease and a pre-negotiated option to buy at a set appreciation or fair market formula•Builds equity or credits via monthly payments or upfront considerationHas anyone done something similar?

Capital would be the second thing but if you have access to gift funds (ie: family money), that will solve this problem.If you can figure out those two items, you actually might be able to purchase this home.

"Send them Cards, ask them how they're doing, drop by and visit, leave a gift"Her wisdom from the 1980s as a top Coldwell Banker Broker resonates still today and has shaped my professional journey and inspired me to mentor numerous RE Professionals over the past three decades.

A minor can't be held responsible in the same way an adult can, which can create complications for legal protection and insurance coverage.Additionally, giving real estate to a child is treated as a gift by the IRS.