Now I am at the stage of negotiating a repair credit on the upleg and then removing contingencies.I know this is an unusual request but is there anyone who is experienced with 1031 that I could hire to make sure I do this right any my friend doesn't misguide me and mess this up?

I was very happy with the operation and I was able to see properties throughout the different stages of renovations.

I've taken at least a dozen investors through this project at various stages and they asked a ton of questions and hopefully learned a lot.

The next stages are to find properties, run figures, get pre-approval for financing, and network with local real estate investors.

I read an interesting paper the other day, dealing with the question if we could re-launch modern society, if we had to start over from a pre-industrial stage for example after a nuclear exchange.

Far too many get stuck in the "paralysis by analysis" stage, thinking they just don't know enough to get started.

But it gets tricky as you've really got to either know the area or open to learn as our neighborhoods are diverse and in various stages of redevelopment. 

The goal for me at this stage is to learn as much as possible about the market and connect with fellow investors in the area that are making it work as I hone in on my niche. 

I waited until I was full preservation stage and glad I did. 

Right now, I am in the stage of Finding Properties.