Lastly, if you do want to execute a 1031, you'll need a Qualified Intermediary before you get started.

If you do not withdraw, it should specify that any insurance payout transfers to you so that you can complete the repairs.If the loss is uninsured, or exceeds the policy limits, you should have the right to withdraw as the seller cannot deliver the property in the condition in which it was shown and the purchase agreed to within the time frame specified in the P&S.I'd be inclined to be gracious to someone who has just suffered through a devastating hurricane, but "don't want to sell anymore" isn't a valid reason to cancel the sale.You can most likely sue for "specific performance", forcing the seller to carry through with the sale - but given the circumstances, kindness and understanding may be the order of the day.You may want to have an intermediary lay out the facts for the sellers - an attorney, an agent, etc. 

It is not an IRS requirement to hire a Qualified Intermediary in a 1033 transaction.

In order to have a valid exchange you must use the services of a qualified intermediary to document the exchange and hold the funds during the process. and they must be in place prior to the sale.

If we can go to closing on the same day, do we need to have an intermediary??

With online technology tenants do not need to give rent payments to an intermediary like a manager.  

Mostly because I don't want to end up with some back and forth debate through agent intermediaries as to why their property is or isn't "special" or what comps they would prefer that I look at, etc.  

In a direct situation with a credit card payment, whether through Paypal, Stripe or any other intermediary, if the guest cancels and asks for refund, we don't have an easy task.

Hi @Sean Dawson, The majority of the nationwide Qualified Intermediaries can administer 1031 Exchange transactions in all 50 states.

So if you really want to save one or two days, use Paypal as an intermediary; setup  vrbo with PayPal, and then as soon as you receive the payout notification email, sign in to PayPal and withdraw the  funds to your bank account.