Your story is truly inspiring and demonstrates the potential for success through determination and learning.

You must rent it long enough to demonstrate that you had the intent to hold as a rental property, such as 24 months. 

I've created a spreadsheet that I've been tweaking over the past couple of years that I occasionally show people to demonstrate the difference between a conventional mortgage, a conventional mortgage while paying an extra $X, and a 1st position HELOC (replacing the mortgage).  

Moreover Baltimore City has demonstrated a staggering level of government incompetence and even worse a level of graft and corruption that I have not really seen in many other places in the U.S. 

The borrower has been on title and residing in the property for at least 12 months and has either paid the mortgage for the last 12 months or can demonstrate a relationship (relative, domestic partner, etc.) with the current obligor.

So watch that you can demonstrate intent to hold and not that it was under construction for a year.Secondly, if you could do a 1031 and want to defer all tax you must purchase at least as much as you sell and you must use all of your cash in the purchase or purchases. 

If the numbers are accurate and you can demonstrate that on paper, you should be able to find people willing to go in on the deal with you.

Genuinely interested applicants are demonstrably Interested.

This would allow ideal landlords, who may often not be recognized, to demonstrate themselves based on past tenant experiences, by means of the company creating a profile on behalf of the tenant, and also would give good tenants a positive history that they could take with them as they are considering their next place to rent, plus distinguishing themselves from other tenants.

This demonstrates both views not only are correct but both views can impact the same investor.good luck