Some options I've considered: - Forward 1031:  Seems to have timing issues (unless my purchase offer has a contingency, which will most likely make my offer pointless in my market).- A reverse 1031: Complex, and possible financing issues for the initial purchase before selling.

what are your favorite tools to discover and compare real estate markets?

This is why MHPs with homes attached are so difficult to market. 

They are a great way to meet other local investors and learn about market trends.

It might be worth looking into specialized insurance providers that cater more to investors with rental portfolios, as they usually understand the nuances of long-term investing and tend to be more flexible.Also, if you're investing in certain markets, like Indianapolis, where property values are lower, you can sometimes balance these insurance hiccups with much better returns on your investments.

He has acquired the land, gotten the permitting, has construction financing lined up but needs ~20% cash equity / home.I know very little about his particular real estate market, and I've never built anything myself. 

As a note investor, we rarely if ever originate loans for owner occupied, we would rather buy on secondary market at a discount. 

Those brands are just great marketing companies, not necessary good windows.

Multifamily properties, like duplexes, can be particularly appealing because they allow you to live in one unit and rent out the other, which helps with covering the mortgage while also generating income.Another option is to invest out-of-state in markets where property prices are more reasonable but still offer great cash flow.

In my market (lehigh valley PA) I can get this done for around 5k or less including the units, materials and labor.