However, since I will be sailing for the following 3-8 months, I won't be able to do a 1031 exchange and will have to pay capital gains tax (which of course I want to avoid).

With condos, the HOA generally takes care of many of the outside features like roofs, siding, etc in exchange for monthly HOA dues.

Many (I'd actually wager that most) of the people that spend this money don't know about BiggerPockets, they don't know there is a network of people that do want to help and are great resources.

Karen and Jim sat a with me, told stories, and gave advice for about an hour AND I exchanged info with Dawn, she sent me a deal 2 days ago, and I put an offer in today!

I think many Canadians have forgotten that aspect (priced the same but a 20-30% premium due to exchange). 

I'd be happy to take a lower return on a higher dollar amount in exchange for less work/effort/stress!

My goal is to replace my income through rental properties and trade up via 1031 exchange.

My ideal scenario RIGHT NOW would be to offer $160k to the seller, offer the prospective buyer $30k - $40k in renovations of their choosing in exchange for a purchase price of $260k.Any creative thoughts on this deal, financing, etc I would love to hear them.  

So I'm about to list a "break even" SFR for sale mainly to defer taxes since I've got my eye on an income producing 4plex but seller may not wait for forward exchange to take its course.  

Both families fell right in the income slot for too poor to be able to buy health insurance on the exchange, not poor enough to qualify for Medicare.