Working with someone who has done it before can save you a lot of money in the long runI have some some good deals in that market on new construction.Best of luck.

Getting into these properties as a non occupant coborrower (all the money invested to get in was mine) was a less cash heavy way to get into the properties versus as an investor.I already have great equity in these properties and prices continue to up.Sounds like, so far, the consensus is to sell the properties and roll the money into other non-condo units.

Did you borrow money from a local bank/credit union for the remainder of the purchase price or did the funds from your 1031 cover all of it? 

This way you learn and make a return on your money.

I have a 401k/457 sitting there as stagnant money in NYC.

The money spent doesn't make sense vs the increased rent.

Hard Money loan How did you add value to the deal?

I'd spend the money on vinyl.

If you have been to these towns, they are good examples but very difficult to enter and make money from. 

Liquidity is important if this is money you plan to put to work in the near term.