The goal would be to buy small residential properties for now.I'm just trying to identify any holes in this plan before I execute it to know what I'm getting myself into.

I'm currently in the process of rehabbing a three unit to be used as an owner occupied rental.Have you identified a particular area of real estate you are trying to focus on?

You have already identified the potential problem with financing. 

I would suggest looking at your long term real estate goals and identifying which short term option meets works towards getting you closer to your long term goals.

For me, it was critical to have someone who was knowledgeable about the market, and about home repairs and value and who could identify potential problems that I wouldn't have known enough to ask about. 

If they are in units that have more bedrooms that HUD identified for them, you won't be as successful in raising the rents. 

As an agent you should be able identify a home that has upside potential, buy it for a discount and create equity in the process.

More specifically on the 1031x, if I sell my property, then take the profit, identify (within the time frame allowed) and invest in an apartment syndicate, would that qualify for a Like-Kind Exchange?

Ask the BP community for recommendations and I'm sure you will get answers that will help you identify trusted team members in any area you want to invest.also, you can close as many properties as you can, as long as you have the right team.I bought my own home while I'm working overseas, all I had to do is go look at the property when I was back home, my realtor that I trust put the team together and closed the deal for me.

I was able to identify in the zoning map Tanya provided that our house is in an R-6 single family zone.