I have learned lots from my first year in business and my biggest lesson is that education is key.

I'd begin advertising/put out the For Rent sign to start screening new tenants and I'd begin discussions about how I understand his problem and if he'll clean up this and that really good I'm happy to help by not pursing them for the rent owed if he leaves the keys on the counter and is gone by X date. 

Those are two very key components. 

Yes Montreal is very hot and pricey right now, but the key to being a successful real estate investor in ANY market is to find REAL deals.

All surround a key issue or issues that result in loss of jobs. 

Smooth and flat substrate is the key. 

@Scott Passman, The biggest problem is that it doesn't seem like anything in South Florida is turn key and cashflows.

Be careful, there are tons of turd turn key providers and eager syndicator licking their chops to get at your money.

If your marketing to people who don't live in the home....how do you get keys to look at the home if they live several hours away? 

The key to the 1031 is that you have to use a 3rd party qualified intermediary to manage the 1031 process.