Here are a couple of ways you could structure the deal:Lease Option with Seller Financing: You could lease the property with an option to buy later, allowing you to rehab it while giving the sellers time to find a 1031 replacement property.Seller Financing with Deferred Payment: Structure the seller financing with no immediate payments, allowing you to refinance once the property is appraised, and the sellers can complete the 1031 exchange when ready.Escrow Holdback: Transfer the deed into an escrow account, giving you control without immediate transfer, so the sellers can take their time with the 1031.Third-Party Facilitation: Use a qualified intermediary to hold funds and facilitate the 1031 exchange while you refinance.These options allow flexibility for both you and the sellers.

I'm not sure which one I have to replace, if any. 

Do you have any other tips on "the live" in flip potential in LA? 

Based on rough assessment, the following is needed just to get it listed:NeedsLowMidHighRoof$7,747.00$12,580.00$26,037.00Siding$20,000.00$25,000.00$30,000.00Windows$9,000.00$12,000.00$18,000.00New Deck$8,000.00$10,000.00$12,000.00Roof Leak Repair$2,000.00$3,500.00$5,000.00Mold Mitigation$1,000.00$2,500.00$3,500.00AC Units$13,000.00$15,000.00$18,000.00Carpet Replacement$2,500.00$3,500.00$5,000.00Kitchen Remodel$5,000.00$10,000.00$20,000.00Total$68,247.00$94,080.00$137,537.00Due to lack of capital to fund these repairs, I believe the best option is to find an investor looking to flip. 

February may not be the best time to find a replacement tenant, so you may want to go Month-to-Month (MTM) until April or so.

Do you save three months of vacancy for each unit and $50,000 for the roof replacement?

Make sure you talk to a Banker or Loan officer that is well versed in both SE (Self Employed) income and also Non/QM programs.One tip I will give you as a Banker is open up a "Business Checking account" and for the next 12 months pay "Everything" out of that account. 

If I can replace the bathtub with a shower, I'd be able to make the bathroom feel larger.  

.- Background: Took some real estate classes before but really a lot of self learning on creative financing - Current Goal:To close my first wholesale deal within the next few months by learning from seasoned investors and applying proven strategies.I'm here to absorb as much knowledge as possible, so if you have any tips or resources, I’m all ears!

We have seen maintenance costs skyrocket over the past 2-3 years and every case is different but here are some general guidelines for reputable (non-crackhead) investor level pricing in our area of operations:Furnace and A/C replacement with lineset for standard 3 bed 1 bath bungalow.