And since I’ve never talked to one or hired one, how easy is it to replace them?

It is not as easy to access as cash flow but it does increase net worth and can be accessed via refinance, etc.  6) Local presents an opportunity for forced appreciation where you can do some of the work (versus out of state (OOS) forced appreciation often is more limited due to requiring the use of contractors because OOS).2 of 5 years occupancy is required to not owe taxes on the gain from selling the property. 

@Michael Willis, Banks love 1031s because the money is easy to source and you can't move it and mess up their ratios!  

With internet marketing its fairly easy to locate market properties without an agent or Broker.

I'm a veteran as well and use the BRRRR method (out of state), it's EASY.

It’s free, easy to use and functional enough to get me by with very little work on my part.I’m getting ready to upgrade because I will be managing for others soon and I’ve been looking at buildium or appfolio which are much more involved and require a lot more time to build out.

Neither of them are "easy."

I went from construction into flipping and land lording because it was easy that way. 

It is easy with a steady tenant to lose touch with what the rents are in your area.

@Justin Cooper It's do-able but definitely wouldn't be easy.