If you paid $950k and only get $1M after selling costs, don’t bother with the 1031.

That's not the same as paying cash.According to a different post, your credit card debt costs you $600/month.

Cost segregation utilizes the MACRS approach.

Let's say it's $100 a month and the cost to install a fence is $3,000.

My first STR, and plan on splitting between self use and renting to help offset costs. 

Avantstay's services cost money because they provide value.

Since you’re already networking and have some good realtor contacts, focus on narrowing down your investment strategy (like buy-and-hold or house hacking) and target markets with solid cash flow potential.

Quote from @Basit Siddiqi: I personally would not buy real estate with a retirement account.There are just too many headaches that are not worth the potential increased return.Some headaches when it comes to investing in real estate with a retirement account1) LTV values are less and harder to find lenders.2) Potential to sell or partially distibute the property if you have to do a RMD(Required Minimum Distribution)3) If you run out of cash and have to make a major repair, you may be out of luck and have to sell.4) Having to potentially worry about UBTI(Unrelated Business Taxable Income)I would personally invest in stocks/bonds/notes with a retirement account.I buy deals with cash and use a ROTH SDIRA so there are no RMD's.I buy at huge discounts to retail.

Which ok, I get it, ACH cost money, BUT, RentRedi does not give the landlord the option to pay that. 

Sounds like from everyone here that a strong vetting of your contractors is an ever more important part given how much the project depends on them and the rehab costs/time.