The 1031 exchange is the huge tax savings move to get some more doors and build up that wealth with equity movement to larger deals! 

Run your numbers and check.

Probably need to run some IRR numbers with different sales possibilities as well.  

I’m in Florida. any advice or past experience with what to do or not to do is greatly appreciated. 

If you can't run comps on your own or with a member of your team, use Zillow or Redfin or your favorite agent's website (mine is adam-davis.remax.net for example) and search for the criteria (bed/bath/sf) of the property you're looking for, or search for the address.

I live in the Chicago suburbs, so just about every type of neighborhood is available... cheap, expensive, old, recent construction, well kept, run down, etc.  

I have a shot at purchasing a property that is partly in a flood zone and has a creek running through the property. 

Jacksonville has been improving in the ranks for three years running now, after coming in 5th in 2021 and 3rd in 2022."

If I had a little more time I think I would try to run it myself but I’d like my property to be more passive and collect rent each month.

As my OP mentioned, once the door count increases in a handful, my question is wouldn't this make more sense to have your own team involved instead of outsourcing to a property management firm?