The property that you sell and then purchase through a 1031 Exchange must be held for rental, investment (capital appreciation), or used in a business. 

I've purchased about 10 properties for myself and have always use my own broker.

I have a property that I purchased in Madison NC (about 25mins north of Greensboro). 

Once I get a few deals under my belt and money is more abundant, I'll also purchase Seth's training.

I see people purchasing new STR's here and others dumping their properties or converting into LTR's. 

Did you purchase this property all cash? 

You can also let a tenant pay the lien/encumbrance off.I can swap a lien I payoff for an interest in title.Material and workmen's liens can be financed at full face value after being purchased at a discount by a clean-up contractor (one hired to complete unfinished work). 

Most commercial lenders do not require any seasoning for that entity which means that you can create an LLC and use that entity to purchase the property immediately as long as you have the proper documents.

A home equity loan seems like a possible way to expand my portfolio, would consider buying a multifamily and renting out our current home to live in one of the units and purchase it as a primary home (assuming its 4 units or less), but being in the Santa Cruz CA area, I am afraid I'll need to look outside of CA for any deal that makes sense, and can't afford to lose my great job (can't work remotely).  

I also purchased these while residing in CA!