Alternatively, if I left the unit as is, or added a bedroom for a much smaller cost by removing the dining room, I could rent the entire unit out on a short or medium term basis, for at or above the monthly cost, then look for a separate house hack with a bath already installed.

I literally had cameras installed last week. 

Thanks Colleen, I have considered exactly what you said and have a company coming Friday to install a metal fence around the pool for extra safety.

There have been times when I do a diy and it comes out great and then there is times when it does not.

@Daniel King most DIY landlords use whatever works for them and their tenants.Just NEVER collect cash in person!

And your accountant has the option to treat the 1031 as an installement sale with $1 mil received in the year of sale and the other $1 mil received in the next tax year.  

Having installed my own 14kw solar panel system on my own house without prior experience, I decided to do it myself on weekends and before and after work.It was way steeper than my roof.

@Jeremiah Dunakin if you can DIY manage and do it well, great!

My town has gotten grants of over $1M twice to install water meters which has only cost about $500K so the water department pockets the rest of the grant money.

@Aman S. we have these installed in several parks and at our business. 8 months in so far so good.