Being in a lending business will be defined by SEC as well as IRS Code, if you're in the business then you are not a private lender.

Do you use QR codes to advertise your rentals?

I only advertise in close proximity to the subject property [you can choose zip codes or near to addresses to drill down as tight as you want].  

From Forbes Ten Things to Know About 1031 ExchangesTax nerds may be able to spout off Internal Revenue Code Sections, but most people never get beyond 401(k).

If dinner it creates a bit more of a parking concern but as long as you are parked to local code you'll likely be fine.  

When we purchase a 120K property here, it will received full gut (studs out as you say) and when Humpy-Dumpty gets put together again, it will be with modern insulation levels, air sealing, Energy Star (tier II or III) Windows and Doors, LED lighting,    Since we are buy-n-hold types, if we sacrifice anything  due to budget constraints it will be trim level - something we can easily change later.We are at the painting stage of a full-gut, deep energy retrofit of a 1100 ft^2, 2-story attached unit {fire coded common wall} and are heating the entire unit with one 2000W electric baseboard at the moment (heat pump will not be commissioned until trim is complete).

If its not clear, call code enforcement and ask.  

@Tyrus Shivers @Jon Holdman As per building code there only has to be one point of egress.

During the days I write code as a software engineer for a small-ish startup.

That would be quite a hit.According to this article: http://finance.zacks.com/relationship-between-stock-market-real-estate-prices-10244.html, it doesn't appear there is a direct credible correlation between the performance of both markets: ...there's no confirmation of causation between stock market indexes and demand for homes or their prices....The strength or weakness of the U.S. and global economy appears to influence both stock and home prices.