@Noah Schulz what does the lease state about payment and what period the payments cover?

- Insurance policies (some may not cover rent by room)- Friction among tenants regarding common spaces

Hey Dave, since I have mortgages on these properties, would it make sense to bring cash to the exchange to cover the mortgage amount (or pay off the mortgage before doing the 1031) and improve the cash flow for the newly acquired property?

The idea of house hacking a multi-family property is a great way to cover living expenses while building equity.

I would then probably consider putting down the min. downpayment on a duplex up to a fourplex, for a place to live and rent out the remainder to  cover the mortgage and expenses.  

That should cover any overages that the STR insurance doesn't.

They aim to have the seller cover the buyer's agent commission as part of their strategy.

Keep in mind that there may be legit charges associated with termination- for instance, they may need to hold some funds in escrow to cover lingering utility bills or cleaning after that 30 day period. 

A financial advisor can help you  create a comprehensive financial plan to make sure you cover all your bases before you move forward. 

So the question is - why would someone entering a deal/assignment need a gator to cover EMD?