Sometimes they will contact me directly when they are getting closer to retirement and decide to downsize some of their holdings.

The HOA takes care of everything outside of the studs and I save enough to just replace anything that breaks and skip the repairs. 

Everyone's time is valuable.I do group showings to save me time, give the impression that the place is super desirable (because everyone is there) and you eliminate the risk of no shows since you would be there anyways.

That equates to $4,286 a year in tax savings.

I'd encourage you personally to either consider a strategy that allows you to add value quickly and get out quickly (a Flip or BRRRR) if the HELOC is your current only/best option for cash, and/or to simply save up.

To save money, management raised the wind and hail insurance deductible from 5 to 10 percent.

If nothing else, and you decide to sell with a 1031, something to consider would be trying to time the sale towards the beginning of the calendar year so it gives you max time to potentially re-invest into something that will offset the gain, and/or strategize some additional tax savings. 

I had enough in savings to start my journey in Real Estate.

I have the credit score and make a good monthly living but I have no cash save up but have 2 cash flowing rental properties with one of them having some equity.

The plumber had to drive to the store to get the right sized part, and then also was not told that he didn't have to install the tenant's washer which would have saved us money because he called a second plumber to come over and help him lift the washer.