@Bradley Hendrix, You can allocate the proceeds any way you want, as long as you purchase at least as much as you sell for, and use all of the proceeds in the 1031 exchange.You could sell the apartment and purchase Two SFHs with a 1031 exchange. purchase one for cash and the second with debt.

As of right now, I wanted to see if there is any duplexes under $250k and to possibly Long Distance Invest for now prior to moving in. 

I started a post yesterday regarding VRBO Terms of Service.  

OMG can you imagine, I do not need to make up stories or brag about how long I have been doing something, because like life, it all becomes a blur at some points.Here is another classic - We had a loan where the borrower was using the property as a rental in Danville VA (not a place I recommend investing).

I have been recruiting professionals for a long time, so I know what to look for when hiring someone.

The long term capital gains rate for many people is Federal 20%. 

Here's some guidance on buying your first investment property in Southern California or Columbus, Ohio:Down payment:For investment properties, lenders typically require 15-30% down payment on your first investment15% down is possible with excellent credit (700+ score)20-25% down is more common, especially for multi-unit propertiesSection 8 considerations:Pros:Guaranteed portion of rent from governmentPotential for longer-term tenantsMay be easier to fill vacancies in some areasCons:More paperwork and inspections requiredRent amounts set by local housing authorityPotential property damage concernsOther tips:Research local markets carefully - price trends, rental rates, etc.Factor in all costs - taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacanciesConsider starting with a single-family home or small multi-unitBuild a team - real estate agent, property manager, contractorsHave cash reserves beyond just the down paymentUnderstand landlord-tenant laws in your chosen locationI'd recommend talking to local real estate agents in both areas to get more specific market insights.

Only way would be to collect a few quotes and move forward with the one that provided the best set of terms.

While that is a good amount of information provided, you really would just have to ask what terms fit their needs best and go from there.

I've had success in the past from apartments.com, zillow, and posting yard signs.