So far in 2021 many markets are already up 5% PER MONTH and the inventory problem has only gotten worse.  2008 is still fresh in many people's minds, and for many of us millennials (I don't identify as one, but I can't control the year I was born so it is what it is) 2008-2010 is the only recession we have lived through as professionals/adults.

If you get the call or identified some problems via ring, and devoted some time to the issue, then yes, you can count those hours.

You can identify more than one property for a 1031 and as long as you pay more for them than the one you sell you won't pay taxes.

It this case, the VA appraiser did not identify any faults with the property that would put it out of conformance with VA’s minimum property requirements. 

I can't say I know much about the canadian market (or anything at all) but some things hold true anywhere: First thing you need to do is identify your end goal.

My question is around identifying the appropriate General Contractor to renovate an investment property.

You also want to ask about recency of the numbers, whether they identify if its a mobile number or not and how quickly they get it back to you.From there, you can call, text, mail, email and even run social ads to get in front of those prospects.

For several properties, I have identified the owners, how much they owe in taxes, and estimated values of their property. 

The 1031 Law (speaking practically)These rules apply to any exchange:Must complete within 180 calendar days of the sale of your relinquished propertyMust identify up to 3 replacement properties within 45 daysOnly complete tax deferral if the final value of the replacement property is worth at least as much as your net sale price for the relinquished property.If you trade down in value, the difference is taxableKeep the same taxpayer across propertiesYou can exchange into (and out of) any state and many US territoriesThere are lots of different assets that qualify as valid replacement targets in a 1031, so think broadlyI'll stop there and see if you have additional questions or want to expand on any point. 

Identify a market and understand it as much as you can and build up confidence and abilities in that "sweet spot" of your strategy + market.