@Nathaniel Birdsong if you can verify that the foreclosure process was never started or foreclosed on then you should be able to go conventional.  

If the offer is accepted I schedule a professional inspection to verify the condition and life expectancy  of all major components and appliances.  

Make sure you've worked with the banks you plan to refi with prior to getting into any deal and verify that they are okay with the plan.

Trust, but verify.  

@Andrew Postell yes I am using an exchange company and they verified that yes the replacement property does have to go into the same name the old property was in.

learn about 1031 tax deferred exchangescomplete you financial package - 3 years tax returns P&L - real estate portfolio, credit scoreexpect to be rejected by lenders and other W-2 employees - qualify lenders, bankers, mortgage brokers - ask what products they have - see if you qualify for themlook at 20 buildings before offering on any - know the SF dollar cost - keep a journalmail lots of letters (be professional NO yellow childish communications) to owners of apartment buildingsUnderstand what a CAP rate is and how to get to it - fill out your  commercial APODVerify -verify - verify all financial data given you by sellers - sellers are liars (so are buyers) trust NO One!

Obviously you need to verify that against Missouri state law but my guess is that's what you'll find.

Recently moved from Canada so I don’t have any credit or verifiable income, but can put a good down payment down (40k) cash or so.

- I am still narrowing down properties and would like to have a general contractor do a walk through to verify my assumptions.

Have you verified the rent numbers?