I’m curious if you’ve had experience with this approach, and if so, I’d appreciate any insights you might be able to share.Additionally, do you have a real estate agent you would recommend who specializes in investment properties in the area?

An agent is not guaranteeing you a purchase or a sale.  

Have your agent start to look for properties that will do the 1031 now.See my comments in recent post. 

For agents, this presents an opportunity to stand out by guiding buyers toward properties in these profitable neighborhoods, making you the go-to resource for savvy investors.If you're curious about how SB-9 can work in other parts of California, definitely check out It's Time to Invest in California, now!

probably a wholesale company.. get a second opinion from a local RE agent so you dont get hosed. 

I'd build a network of agents and owners in your select markets that work primarily with investment properties.

My current agent suggested if it made sense financially, to do some rehab work to get the properties rent-ready, but I do not have the liquid funds to do so and sell these as-is.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Are you a real estate agent?

An agent?