Combined Loan to value (CLTV) are up to 85% for cash out for primary homes and up to 70% for investment properties (max CLTV depends on credit score). 

A CSLB-issued license is required for all construction-related work that costs $500 or more in combined labor and materials.Thirteen of the 18 suspects were cited for contracting without a license (Business and Professions Code section 7028).

I'd entertain an excellent loan in any state.

Their advice is generic and made to entertain a mass audience. 

If you sell two properties at, say, $700K and $300K respectively, then you can either combine those into a single exchange and buy at least $1M of replacement properties OR you can split them and have one exchange trade for at least $700K and another for at least $300K

Or do you use a combination of something like a ring camera and schlage lock?

We’ve gone through the process of doing an application and submitting the required documents, and our lender is saying our combined income is too low, even with a significant down payment. 

@Dave Foster have you ever combined a 1031 with a CRT?

This is for fun and entertainment not financial advice please consult with your advisors.If you want to find some options head over to the build your team tab to find tax and finance pros.  

Alternatively,  you can buy multiple smaller properties in a 1031 that combined add up to your initial sale value.