It came to mind that your agent could request any documentation the owner has (rent roll/expense details/vacancy rate,etc.) to assist in decision making, but I assume some people may actually make offers only from pictures, purchase price, and rents.

If I 1031 exchange the property with the Heloc on it, the heloc would be paid off and closed during the sale of the property and I would be rolling only the left over equity or in this case 20k into the new property.

@Zachary NegronCrooked floors, if you can roll a marble from one corner to the other, you might have a big issue.

Last but not least in the "why DSM" bucket you have your traditional three motivators: low cost of living/affordable housing, access to well-paying jobs, relatively safe neighborhoods, and decent schools (I recognize, that is technically four and a half but I am rolling with it).

@Michael Glaspie Depends on the size and how quickly the seller can provide a rent roll, leases and financials incl bank statements.

Equity being built up while you are making your mortgage payments and the pool payments, and when the pool payments are done, you can either roll that into that house to further pay it down to have it paid off by the time your son goes to college. 

Also, ask for rent rolls, dates of rents paid, maint history, look at permit history on property, foundation, inspection, etc..Terms of lease are important so review leases thoroughly.

I just need to keep my head up and plow through this initial phase because once the ball gets rolling, I'll be more confident.

Get a copy of the rent rolls and leases.

Home Depot just subs it out to a contractor , they are using roll roofing I dont like roll roofing .