The plan is to: - Make regular payments on the seller-held mortgage for the agreed-upon term.- Pay off the balloon payment at the end of the term.- Immediately refinance the property with a traditional bank mortgage to pull out a significant portion of equity. 

I could sell my entire portfolio of 28 doors and pull the leverage lever OR I could sell this 14 unit and pay for something in all cash and do a lazy 1031 exchange, or do a regular 1031 which puts more pressure on the time frame. 

It's hard getting to the door knocking while trying to balance my military job, family time, and upkeeping my own house.

I will be self-managing this first rental, so I have wondered what the best way is to make sure the softener is regularly salted. 

As you said you are currently still employed there, so you can't do it right away until you leave employment there.Second, once you've rolled over, you can setup your SDIRA as a regular account (where fund release has to go via your custodian) or setup a LLC checkbook option, where you can write out a check for your choice of investments.Yes you will have full control over the use of funds in your rolled over SDIRA. 

My student loan payments are $0, but the regular VA lender I've been working with told me they have to factor as if I'm paying $820/mo!

However, termites can be persistent, so a regular maintenance plan could add peace of mind and prevent future damage.For example, your pest control company’s plan charges $995 upfront for termites and $22 per month for ongoing treatment.

During our first deal we'll look at communication and regular updates.

Someone who knows and works the area regularly?  

(You won’t get the ongoing tax break and you’ll be selling or paying the taxes to cash out.)You convert capital gains income in to regular income.