Since each Buyer is different with different needs, it is possible to have 2 similar offers that are presented, but 1 will win out because the elements in the offer, which are specific to the Buyer. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need some help or simply have any questions along the way. 

experience is worth far more than a couple grand a year. in 10 years you might find that PM experience valuable while you'll have long forgotten about the money. better approach: negotiate a raise in the PM job and give yourself a win/win

As a recent graduate with no prior REI experience, I am curious whether I should be putting more of an effort into finding a more experienced partner or simply doing the research and going at it alone.

Is the bank happy with the winning  bid? 

You may lose the deal, but you may also win.

Win/Win : Agent gets listing/Jane sells house ... hopefully agent also helps Jane on the buyer side later on... *** obviously there has to be equity in the home or this isn't going to work. 

If you do this for years then there can be quite a bit of deferred tax.Most investors will then do a last 1031 into something passive that requires no management and simply provides cash through the remainder of their lives with the returns from the deferred tax making up a large % of their retirement income. 

This makes it very difficult to qualify for an exception as it would be challenging/impossible to rent out as a "long term rental" - which I can't quite tell what is defined as.Any thoughts on strategies or ideas on how to deal with this, aside from simply selling and getting out?

Frankly I do not believe they are that bad you simply must learn how to manage tennats.