My question is how can I legally get my unit changed from a Condo to a Townhome?

In this case, is it legal for me to act in the capacity of a finder and charge a finder's fee considering he negotiates the deal himself?  

Maybe there is a legal way around this, I dunno.

its a 6plex currently and plan to make it to it's legal configuration of 5plex (here is one of the upgrades, still a work in progress)

Any deed passing or constructive sale (legal term - risk of loss passing) will negate his opportunity to do a 1031.  

Online EFT would be great, but I'm sure there's some old people that wont do that.

But I have done my due diligence in checking online their authenticity, as of now it seems to check out.

But I like the cleanliness of some of the programs with the convenience of online payments, work orders, background checks, leases, etc...  

Another idea, if you want to be sure you have legally licensed contractors, might be to mine your states Contractor License Board for license holders within a region around your projects.  

You can get some online pretty cheaply.