The ability to diversify into greater numbers or more advantageous geographical locations and then consolidate as your investing cycle matures into larger less hands on projects is a key component to using 1031s successfully Absolutely as said above the 1031 has to leave you in a better position.  

I currently live in cambridge/somerville so that would be easy for me geographically.

Farm a geographical area that is not dominated by another agent.

I was in I.T. for 37 years as a developer and that made severe restrictions on the communities where that job description was useful. 

It is listed on Zillow at 6k but owner says in description that it is 3k.

Narrow down your geographic area: again, when you are starting out, it is going to be extremely difficult to learn a vast stretch of the city.

-They could go from this property into a better geographical area or type of investment real estate.

Also, post your job description on Linked inGino

It appears to me that some "pro's" decided to move on from the low end housing. but I gather that not all 30-50k homes fit your description of "pigs".

One of the advantages of crowdfunding is that you can reduce geographic risk by investing all over the country.