You’ll often see sales with 100-200% swings within the same area, which makes having deep local knowledge and understanding the nuances absolutely critical.I do this for a living, and even with experience, comping in Detroit can still be challenging.

Understand your costs and the value of your tenants before negotiating lease increases. 

Be sure to work with an agent or broker who understands your local market, and consult with a professional who understands all applicable tenants-rights laws related to your transaction.

As I am considering my offer, I am trying to understand how much to budget for attorney, title/closing costs etc? 

I could see really getting into this and wanting to keep growing the number of properties I own so long as I can keep qualifying for loans, so I need to understand how to transition away from the VA loans once I'm maxed entitlement and keep growing my portfolio.So it's build up equity then huh, and refinance out of the VA loan or cashout to buy on another loan type?

But I appreciate that those who have found their footing in real estate and are doing it successfully want us newbies to understand it takes work and at least some capital.

That attorney should have creditor rights background in the state to understand what you can and cannot do. 

I'd like to understand which is the better option between these two and the reasoning behind it. 

And by DSCR loan, I'm thinking standard 30-year DSCR loan.

While many of these issues are important considerations and should not be ignored or overlooked, there are other more crucial criteria that you must question and evaluate first.The critical risk criteria that you must review and evaluate prior to making your final decision on which 1031 Exchange Qualified Intermediary to retain includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:Technical capability of the 1031 Exchange Qualified IntermediaryInternal processes and audit controls to safeguard your 1031 Exchange funds and assetsUse of Qualified Trust Accounts or Qualified Escrow AccountsDecision criteria and guidelines for investment of your 1031 Exchange fundsProtection from potential errors or omissions by the Qualified Intermediary (E&O Insurance) Protection from potential theft or embezzlement of 1031 Exchange funds (Fidelity Bond) An experienced and professional 1031 Exchange Qualified Intermediary will understand these concerns and should be happy to discuss these crucial issues with you.