If you are not 100% comfortable/confident then do not move forward without one. 

Following David Green's Core 4 strategy (realtor, contractor, property manager, and lender) gives confidence to invest anywhere.

If you're confident in your abilities and have the necessary time and resources, taking on the role of your own GC can be highly rewarding. 

To be honest, I am not completely confident I will be successful, but I have mentally committed to making a consistent effort towards progress.

If you're confident these properties will appreciate and rents will increase over time, a break-even deal isn't necessarily a bad deal as long as you have reserves. 

Managing 150+ units for a few years has given me the reps needed to feel confident purchasing large assets. 

SBA lenders are confident the deal is lendable, but SBA rates at prime plus 2.5% are high, and I don't want to risk default.

I didn't try to argue with him or further explore the validity of his claims.Few people look at as many on-market investment properties each week in Utah as me, and so I feel very confident in saying that FIG's pro-forma returns look totally awesome for Utah's investment climate.  

Quote from @Dave Foster: @Dustin Brisson, An owner finance would work with a 1031. 

He didn't act very confident in my chances at all.