Need to be patient and persistent with finding a property that fits my criteria for the present and future needs.

The property was in horrible condition, pet odor, lots of deferred maintenance etc.

8. 1031 Exchanges: If I sell one of my properties, what steps do I need to take to defer taxes using a 1031 exchange?

All of your profit stayed inside the SDIRA and remained tax deferred there. 

This would allow you to indefinitely defer all of the tax if you sold, and use the tax you would have had to pay, to purchase something nicer in an area with a greater growth potential.   

Both markets are promising, affordable and present swift growth. 

Is it like the following:a)  Make an offer on a 5-unit that the Seller acceptsb)  Do my inspections, come up with gameplanc)  Present the lender with final gameplan, once approved then proceed to closing & get the keysd)  Have XX days to convert to a 4plex?

It's up to their tax professional on how to present that info on their tax returns.

At a 7% annual return, this could grow to $908K after 10 years, providing immediate liquidity and diversification.Alternatively, holding the property could yield $825K net equity after taxes in 10 years, assuming a $900K sale, with the potential to defer taxes via a 1031 exchange if reinvested into another property.

It is deferred until sold, via invisible basis reduction.