We're about to sell our first property and move on to something with better cashflow and I'm considering whether to just pay the taxes or protect the equity with a 1031 exchange.  

Hi Scott, I've had good results buying notes on FCI Exchange and we do use FCI as one of our servicers. 

We talked about the local market, exchanged ideas, then went and looked at a few houses.So I would check with your agent's broker and or call their local real estate board of directors before paying anything other than the commission stated on the purchase contracts that are paid at the closing table.Again, the best reward a real estate agent might get are referrals from you on other buyers and sellers.  

Ryan - that's precisely why I would never accept investor capital from out of the area to invest in Lima.

., In exchange for your input and thoughts I'd like to offer some info that is hopefully new to you both and can contribute to your lead generation efforts?

. - The exchange rate is bad for Canadians which some people point out if you repatriate the income from US it will be gobbled up by the FX people here in Canada and may benefit CRA and IRS which im also trying to sort out how. 

Such a house will probably rent for $1800, so if I put all the equity into such an exchange I'd end up with a cash flow of ~$100/mo, and about 450 to principal.  

If I accept money today, one time cash payment, from a tenant as an option for that tenant to purchase a house from me at some future date, does accepting the option payment jeopardize my ability to sell the house to the tenant using a 1031 Exchange?

It would be easier if the house has been on the market for a while, and you offer a bit more than what others have been offering on the property in exchange for the potentially longer closing. 

I have met a person who I have exchanged contact information with, but I never asked what exactly what kind of business relationship that he was looking for.