If you didn't necessarily need to deploy all of it to satisfy the 1031 I would say you could also just be a lender and collect the interest.

Or, do we think 2008 is likely to happen again, and if so, why deploy money in the first place?

A radical strategy is to sell your two investment properties and deploy that capital into the larger stuff to get you closer to your 12k goal. 

In order keep my capital deployed, would I go down to 0.8% R:V in a market that appreciates 100% more?

If you want to deploy any of that capital into the CO market let me know.

@Bruce Kozak We have been using a model from Niagara Conservation which scores 1000+ on the MAP test.We've deployed over 30 of them in the past 24 months and have had only one issue - a faulty fill valve, which was promptly replaced.

It also begs the question, just how sophisticated and knowledgeable those deploying (or trying to) are.  

Unfortunately, both my wife and I deploy so I will need to find one somehow. 

I saw one of the earlier posters say that you have to be aware that the service member can break the lease due to deployment, which is true.

I'm deployed right now so I'll see if I can get it ordered and sent here.