Like @Kyle Mccaw noted there is significant value in goodwill and I imagine you profited nicely over this pleasant long term relationship. 

As I’m saving up for my first investment, I would like to learn more about the industry - and it would be nice to earn some income while doing so.Are there any specific skills or knowledge I need to secure a VA side gig? 

It is the most popular software in the industry and all CPAs know how to navigate it which is nice.

Another nice bonus of using this as a funding source is no closing costs, big help on the front end.Obviously, if all goes relatively well, the plan would be to hold these properties as rentals and refi at some point down the road when rates on mortgages drops back down a bit, whenever that may be.

@Andrey ShostakA tax calculator would be nice.

Other parks our size have about the same rent but have water included or basic cable, have rec centers or nice playground / pools, have multiple works on site.

I think the moderators can move post categories but it would be nice if the poster had an opportunity to recatogorize for a short time.

Once you have completed the consolidation portion of your 1031 exchange you now own a more expensive (and probably really nice) property that it must be your intent to hold for investment use. 

Unfortunately, relying on a "nice card" approach doesn't always ensure that tenants will vacate the property in good condition.

Hi, pre foreclosure in all of its permutations, before the bank sends Notice of Default (NOD) or efter which is state even county dependant but often starts a 4 week clock till the trustee auction are the 2nd most difficult deal scenario and IMHO only experienced investors should bother, the 1st most difficult deal scenario are bidding at the court house steps on lord only knows what is being auctioned off sometimes even 2nd mortgages, you need to do so much home work to attempt to reduce your risk at the court house steps...Pre foreclosure no one talks about these issues, always about the nice sounding stuff like "motivated seller" get a good deal etc etc both are usually not the case.- 95% of folks in pre or post NOD want to stay in their house, keep their house inspite of them 100% will loose the house at the auction.