There are timelines to be aware of to locate, identify, and close on the replacement property in the exchange, so understanding those well in advance of any property sale you hope to exchange is major component.Now, if you're simple looking for one investors opinion here is mine (and worth the price you paid).

A friend of mine believes bay area property will just keep rising.. he said to keep my condo regardless.

I managed mine myself even when I moved around but I can't say that I would recommend that knowing what I know now. 

Hi all,A buddy of mine has a website/platform in beta, that will allow landlords to list unlimited properties for free and mark their availability to show the property as well.

I would like to purchase the acre adjacent to mine as an access and sit 5 single wide homes on my property with a potential of $7000 a month income.

I did this mainly because the stats saying that the Internet will be (& is)the main hub for buyers & sellers looking to hire a Real Estate Agent, & I believe that Bigger Pockets will be the gold standard for all things Real Estate on the internet.I do see your stance coming from a smaller market, but I firmly believed that the reach of Bigger Pockets will continually grow which will (hopefully) help that cause...I remember David Greene mentioning (& don't quote me) that they are adding 4,000 members every week. 

Mine! 

A friend of mine is a first time landlord in a highly sought Venice, CA.

My first thought is this is a screening issue, someone who lives like this probably as a history of doing so.https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/sydney-mines-landlords-on-the-hook-to-clean-up-squalid-apartment-1.4771374?

Mine took about 6 months (we settled) cost was about $4,000 and I got $35,000 at settlement which was collecting my "loss".