Interview a handful of property managers and go with the one that will suit your needs and fulfill your goals.

At this stage I didn’t do any title research or engage anyone else to do it– all I did was shortlist 3 property auctions which fulfilled all my criteria - drove around the neighborhood, looked at the properties from the outside, spoke to neighbors and essentially shortlisted 3 that I could potentially pursue for further due diligence if I really wanted to pursue with it.

My concern is whether or not I have the ability to "help" a tenant find a new home once I take ownership to allow me to fulfill my loan requirements of a using it as a personal residence.

I've never had a non-represented seller ask me to show proof of funds, and realtors that ask are just making sure you're not kicking tires just to kick tires.And you are correct in thinking that once you offer is accepted, it doesn't matter how you fund the deal as long as you still fulfill the terms of the contract.

You should meet with the PM immediately and terminate based on evidence that they did not fulfill their duty.

So rather than nullify the 1031 it fulfills it completely. 

They still fulfill valuable and desirable needs for many people.  

Sounds like you've had a very interesting and fulfilling career in REI.  

What has been great about our current SFH rental is that the city's portion of the section 8 rent covers my note so I am able to fulfill all debt services independent of the tenant's payment. 

Talk to someone at your practice who specializes in contract law but as I see it the terms of the contract have not been fulfilled so your contract may not be valid.