Starting out I strongly recommend buying a performing note so you understand the process and players.

Best way to pierce into Austin as a newbie is to network with other big players and top brokers. join as a LP on a deal to learn it while building your portfolio. if you want a place thats hot but less espensive then north dallas ftworth.. if you want great value add we can help you here in san antonio

The more you listen, the more you engage in conversations in this industry (networking)...the more comfortable you will be moving forward on something with the opportunity presents itself.

We are about to finish an identical property next door to this one and rent it to more baseball players.

If it is a flip - then you cannot use 1031. 1031s are for rental properties.If it was a rental - then yes, you can use a 1031 exchange. 3 pointers:sometimes it makes more sense to pay the tax, so run the numbers firstuse an experienced 3rd party intermediary, like @Dave Foster or @Bill Exeteryou must engage them before you sell the propertyGood luck!

California now has a pretty onerous brightline test of sorts after the Dynamex case last year in the CA supreme court.A hired worker will be considered to be an employee unless it can be shown the worker passes ALL of the following test:1) The worker is free from the directions and control of the hirer in connection with the performance of the work, both under the contract for the work and in fact;2) The worker performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity's business; and 3) The worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as the worked performed for the hiring entity.Note this is a lot more restrictive than the federal "questionnaire" for an employee vs IC determination. 

I found that the groups with the most engagement activity, not always with the most members, are the best to start scouting out. 

Please share your thoughts; I have my own position on this but I’m interested in hearing everyone’s position.Thank you for engaging with me!

If the lights stay green, you'll need to engage at a minimum, civil and structural engineers.  

The tenant likely has the right to stay in the property at the rate on the lease until the lease expires, but all rents should now come to you instead of the HOA.More than likely, the HOA lien remains in place and you are now liable for it.The receivership company that the HOA has engaged with (the HOA can't manage the property directly, usually) is likely very expensive, so you'll have to work to get them out of the picture.I'm the president of an HOA that has a unit like what you're describing.