The solo 401k allows for checkbook control from the onset;The solo 401k allows for personal loan known as a solo 401k loan;It is prohibited to borrow from your IRA;The Solo 401k may be invested in life insurance;The self-directed IRA may not be invested in life insurance;The solo 401k allow for high contribution amounts (for 2017, the solo 401k contribution limit is $54,000, whereas the self-directed IRA contribution limit is $5,500);The solo 401k business owner can serve as trustee of the solo 401k;The self-directed IRA participant/owner may not serve as trustee or custodian of her IRA; instead, a trust company or bank institution is required;When distributions commence from the solo 401k a mandatory 20% of federal taxes must be withheld from each distribution and submitted electronically to the IRS by the 15th of the month following the date of each distribution;Rollovers and/or transfers from IRAs or qualified plans (e.g., former employer 401k) to a solo 401k are not reported on Form 5498, but rather on Form 5500-EZ, but only if the air market value of the solo 401k exceeds $250K as of the end of the plan year (generally 12/31);When funds are rolled over or transferred from an IRA or 401k to a self-directed IRA, the amount deposited into the self-directed IRA is reported on Form 5498 by the receiving self-directed IRA custodian by May of the year following the rollover/transfer.Rollovers (provided the 60 day rollover window is satisfied) from an IRA to a Solo 401k or self-directed IRA are reported on lines 15a and 15b of Form 1040;Pre-tax IRA contributions on reported on line 32 of Form 1040;Pre-tax solo 401k contributions are reported on line 28 of Form 1040;Roth solo 401k funds are subject to RMDs;A Roth 401k may be transferred to a Roth IRA (Note that from a planning perspective, it may be advantageous to transfer Roth Solo 401k funds to a Roth IRA before turning age 70 ½ in order to escape the Roth RMD requirement applicable to Roth 401k contributions including Roth Solo 401k contributions and earnings.)

I served in the Navy for 4 years in Jacksonville (NS Mayport) and 1 year teaching OCS in Newport.

You would be better served hiring a project manager in the area and a realtor and keeping 100% less the costs of the PM.

I agree with the notion that you would probably be better served to up the price point a bit.

Getting a referral from a fellow investor is OK, however that contractor may be good for the referee, but could be not so good for someone else.Contractors are special individuals - they too are chasing the buck and trying to get the best deal possible.You may want to write specifications  of what you want done - once you know what you want you can better compare bids from workman.I have found that meeting real people with real tools at a time they are buying supplies and materials at Home Depot 5:30 - 6 am picking up stuff to do their daily work is sometimes an effective way to find the craftsman you are looking for at a price that will serve you well.Getting referrals is OK - but how do you know that they didn't over-charge the person who is referring you to them?

Taps can also be bought and sold but sometimes the entity serving the water controls it more and in doing so reduces the value. 

water and food shortages, public transport etc etc etc....have some compassion and make some temporary concessions on being a strong businessman and landlord.I would basically give them a one time "get out of jail free" card for late payment.... make it perfectly 1000% clear that this is a one time deal due to extreme circumstances...don't try and push it or there will be an eviction started.If they have been a good tenant and have had the respect to give you the "heads up" that they were going to have an issue paying on time, that counts for something with me....I know this is business and when you give an inch, tenants will often continue to push the envelope and take a mile...if they see you are "soft" they will exploit it.....but this is an extraordinary situation that just doesn't fit the rules.......

There is also a great abundance of food options around Lake Merritt and the Temescal neighborhood, so much diversity, it's really nice being so close!

You will be better served by completing the 1031 in your names and then after the fact contribute them into the LLC.  

I would love to catch some coffee or food and see if I can help you in any way.