Unless that property has ridiculous appreciation then your better buying government bonds.

I need to get this project started, as it is costing me money every single day it sits with no work being done, but it’s like pulling teeth to try and get a bid from anyone.

But when it comes to just rehabbing houses as cheap as you can thats usually bottom barrel type labor pool Lots of missing teeth etc.

What if an opinion about the rules is incorrect & you qualify for a 1031 by the skin of your teeth?  

So land for commercial would even be ok, even though they are not that similar, but stocks, bonds, or funds are not considered 'like-kind'.

You get to cut your teeth on the finding good deals part of the business.

Now this article does not blame Quantitative Easing (the printing of money to buy bonds) solely, but here's another example of a country that has devalued its currency in the name of stimulus. 

Obviously, as the buyers, we would put up a bond and sign a contract with the city saying we would have to take care of everything on the list which would not be a problem but we can't even purchase it until the seller takes care of what is on his list.  

@Roger Covin -- When I first started, I was cold calling FSBO and CL to cut my teeth and that's like getting thrown into the lion's den and your only weapon is a piece of steak.

Just an off the wall idea, assuming he has nothing and can't bond out you could easily change the locks until the eviction is finalized while he sits in jail.