Generally if the landscaping looks like crap, there's peeling paint and other signs of deferred maintenance on the outside of the house then you can bet the inside will be in similar condition.Definitely check for liens or have your title company do a title search. 

Assuming it's bet to make sure that funds for REI don't co-mingle with private funds from the get go, but I also feel it's a bit early to be running out to get business accounts.  

@Justin Polston You bet man, I appreciate it!

Some of these have hard money lenders you can talk with to gather more information.I would be happy to post the events here, if they coincide within your time here.I bet by adding "looking for financing in Phoenix" to your post headline, you could get quite a bit of feedback.Wishing you great success!

Your best bet is to reach out to a local appraiser and get their opinion on the property.

We are from San Diego and are wondering if anyone has been able to close on a property out-of-state before physically moving there.

You can hedge your bets by taking out mortgages on a few of the properties.

@Bill Brandt, If I was only 250 years older I bet I could have got that included in the Declaration of Independence :)@Colby Shelhorse, The actual mechanism of the 1031 is that the adjusted basis of the old property is transferred to the new property by filing the form 8824 with your tax return after a 1031. 

Is it dangerous if I do not physically drive there and view the house?

I think Joe Fairless' Best Ever Conference (coming up in late February) is your best bet.