Short answer is no, but condos provide ancillary benefits that single-family houses do not.

I have a commercial property with 5 units that is part of three phase shopping center.

Also, it will be a long time before I can actually benefit from not having to deal with the messy wax when replacing them....My main driver for switching away from wax was that there are basically two things that joint comes in contact with (aside from water): poop and wax.  

The benefits of staying in your hometown are knowledge of the market and resources that you probably already have.

Both options seem good but because I'm still in the newbie phase, seeking advice. 

If not, then it seems that every time I buy a property I am acquiring the debt without the benefit of using the income to continue purchasing.

Benefits:• Cash flow• Tax breaks and deductions• Appreciation• Equity/wealth (tenants pay the mortgage)• Hedge against inflation.

What is the benefit of obtaining a limited broker license?

Once the transaction has happened, there is no way to benefit from the exchange.As Ken said above, there may be other tax strategies, like cost seg, that could potentially help to offset the capital gain tax with other losses, but check with your CPA to see if any of those will work for you.

You're background will allow to skip the 1-4 tenants phase.