I think THIS can be better than a 1031 exchange because the seller will start off with a fresh depreciation schedule in the new property.

If you haven’t already, I’d scope out the municipalities around town.. from what I read in The Economist, the Phoenix metropo area continues to rank high for job growth, which usually bodes well for new builds.

I have always imagined getting to the point where I could hold/ run a small community of mountain cabin rentals or a guest house, something along those lines.Thanks,Chad  Yes I meant AirBnb and Mid-term rentals, rent by the room, glamping (although I probably wouldn't go that route), buying commercial RE and running a business (for me that would be a lot of work with a W2 job and buying property locally or leasing out a space is expensive here). 

My two cents: get a job and HUSTLE right out of school and create some income and save up some capital.

Or you might have to suck it up at that job and do real estate part time till it takes off

Schedule a meeting with your CPA and tell them all about your goals for the year.

Our whole job is to broker deals between buyers and sellers.

Drywall installation and finishing is harder than most people think and whoever did that job - see the tape showing - didn't think too hard about it. 

Nice job! 

Long answer: Let your tenants do their job, which is paying off your mortgage.