I've been planning to put this together myself but haven't gotten around to it.

Given the decreased inventory, what is your plan to maintain or increase your growth?

Use resources such as TSP (Thrift Saving Plan) or military benefits so that you can save up money and invest it wisely.

To begin, it is important to educate yourself on various strategies, establish a strong network, set clear goals, conduct thorough market research, start with small investments, and create a financial plan.

That's my plan A.

My plan was to work with someone who has done similar homes in the area, if possible, who might come in with pre-approved or mostly ready-to-go building plans; no sense re-inventing the wheel. 

At the very most you're saying his plan works if you start with another plan that includes financing an investment property and then switch to his plan and use the cashflow to aggressively pay off the property.  

Talking to Planning, Building & Safety and Public Works at the city. 

It has been suggested to call these people 1hr prior to the showing time to verify they still plan to come.

The best documentation in the world won't help you strategically plan how to use your 1031 opportunity if the QI isn't responsive to in a timely manner.Demonstrated experience and nationwide footprint I would toss out as the two most important criteria.