The mere fact that you are likely to find an honest one, is probably comparable to hitting it big at a casino.

I dissected my fears and realized that I couldn't trust my knowledge based on literacy only so I searched in hopes to connect with real estate enthusiasts and investors. 

Either man up and realize the place is fine, or market it as a haunted STR for enthusiasts to stay at

Hello Biggerpockets community, my name is Stefon, I am an enthusiastic young man ready to start a career becoming a real estate agent/ investor.

The modern casino’s are also a good time and will too be up and running again before you know it.

Not sure if you answer the question in regard to a primary residence, but I probably would not fool around with a 1031 over $50K for something I held over 12 months (you are at long term capital gains so net net after the intermediary and you not getting rushed into anything, I say you end up better - spoken by another person familiar with CA whereas those in lower price point markets might be much more enthusiastic about the avoidance of taxes on the ~$50K sale - I don't know your tax bracket but is that like ~$10K in taxes possibly???).

I've run it by a few friends as well who were all enthusiastic.

Syndications produce enough passive income for me, I tend to avoid the wall st casino (although I do have index funds). 

Wall Street is a rigged Casino but its the only game in town so everyone plays it.

If you send every dollar you make to pay your mortgage, put it under your mattress in cash, or lose all your income at the casino, that income is still taxable.