If you're currently shopping around for an investment property for your SDIRA, it's better to open & fund sooner rather than later so you can be ready to make a move when you find the right property.

You cannot touch the funds so the proceeds from the sale are escrowed with your qualified intermediary who is involved in the closing while you shop for your replacement property.  

So I shopped around and I got a (now finalized) quote from esurance for only 541 a year ... and their replacement value was 100k higher.Has anyone else noticed this trend with esurance compared to other providers?

These are areas where it makes a difference to shop lenders, one may say no, another may lend.

Shopping apartments in Indy and am interested in meeting others in the same market.  

Delaware Ave itself feels like a main st in a small town, with lots of shops and restaurants, very walkable. 

Like driving for dollars, send out cards or letters to homes that are vacant or abandoned.This way you have a bit more control in that the seller has not been shopping the market and they may just want to get rid of the property.Yes, the market is hot right now and Realtors are showing sellers what is hot and what is not.Anyway, good luck with your license and property shopping.

I'm currently using safeco for my rentals, but I want to do some rate shopping.

Normally we'd have the grass cut during the first 1-2 days of taking ownership BUT, my pickup truck is in the shop and I can't fit the lawn mower in my car (or maybe I just don't want to - lol).

If you shop around you should be able to find one that works for you.