One the most overlooked things that most PMs/leasing agents do when renting out a space is to go generic: posting ads on CraigsList, newspapers, and national listing sites instead of investing the time at the start to think more about what their ideal renter looks like, where they live/work/play, and going after them by advertising where they are, which could be specific workplaces, housing intermediaries assisting folks trying to get back on their feet while providing guaranteed rental income to owners. 

To perform credit checks as a landlord, you could try to establish an account directly with Equifax or TransUnion, but most of us do not have the volume of credit history requests to justify the subscription costs, nor would most landlords have the security and privacy controls in-place.You may be better served by using a credit agency such as RentCheck or Tenant Verification Services (TVS) as an intermediary:  they will have accounts with multiple credit bureaus and can provide you access to credit histories for both Canadian and U.S.A. applicants.  

Meet with a agent to figure out asset value and selling costs - this determines value and outlines your net sheet of how much you'll net after the sale2A: Review with your CPA for tax costs if you just sold and pocketed the money2B: Speak to a Qualified Intermediary (@Dave Foster) and review those cost and other options with an 1031 exchange into other properties/TICs/DST etc.3.

Bigger Pocket's @Dave Foster was my Qualified Intermediary and I would urge anyone doing this the first time to consider contacting him.

This experience made me realize that I had assumed too much confidence in the role that Airbnb plays as an intermediary. 

This is something you can discuss with your qualified intermediary. 

There's several other steps and regs in the process including the need for a qualified intermediary to manage the process, but these are the two most pertinent to you right now.So if the other investors are selling a property for $300K then they need to take title to at least $300K of investment real estate in order to comply with 1031. 

We will not accept submissions from brokers or intermediaries who charge upfront retainer fees.

And the qualified intermediary for your 1031 cannot do anything but the 1031 portion of the transaction by law.And you do have to use the services of a qualified intermediary who will be the unrelated 3rd party. 

Find a good intermediary and don't go with one of the massive countrywide companies.