Just remember anyone who has acted as your employee, attorney, accountant, investment banker or broker, or real estate agent or broker within the 2-year period ending on the date of the transfer of the first of the relinquished properties is considered your agent and is disqualified from being your QI.So definitely ask them for recommendations but they cannot act as your QI on the exchange. 

Ryan's concern with the seasoning period before being able to cash out refi is a definite snag point.

I am also listening to the Bigger Pockets podcasts daily during every free period I have throughout my day while trying to learn as much as possible.

Also, if you plan to live there for a period of time, which makes your families life easiest? 

I'd say most people in my neighborhood rented for a period before moving in.

First off, the cash-out refinance requirements have gotten tighter w/ the "seasoning" period.

You could negotiate terms such as a lower interest rate or interest-only payments for a set period to ease your upfront burden.Lease-Option Agreement: If the landlord isn’t ready to sell outright, consider proposing a lease-option where you continue renting for a set period with an agreed purchase price.

Typically a furnished rental will appeal to someone coming to live in an area for a short to mid term period of time.

Some lenders do a periodic search of ownership records of all properties in their loan portfolio.  

With the hold periods on BRRRRs nowadays, your margins will get crushed with hard money interest payments/points/fees.