The utilities are turned off at the moment, so how does one investigate the state of electrical, plumbing, sewer etc?  

@Pandu Chimatait is unclear from your post if the total gain is 20K or if you and your partner each have 20K of gain.If we are talking about 40K of gain - you and your partner would be saving $12,000 of taxes(based on Dave's suggested federal and state tax rate).After an approximate $1,000 fee for the use of a 1031 intermediary - there is a potential of $11,000 of savings if you do a 1031.It is something you should consider if you plan to continue investing in real estate.

Or is it advisable to stick to the original plan and continue to save up money and analyze owner occupied units until the numbers match up?

(attached)NOW, here I am left with a house in disrepair, continuing to accumulate city violations (next inspection is due May 31st), renovation insurance, nuance fees for emergent boarding up the home and garage due to squatters.  

We have decided to sell a few of our rentals for the same reason only to continue to reinvest in more foreclosure opportunities. 

Hello my name is Greg I’m 35 years old I’m from the Southern California area I am new to the Real estate industry a few months ago I bought it and flipped my property in the city of Compton California my goal is to continue searching for property’s and Networking with different flippers and investors and building my portfolio for the past 11 years I have been in transportation industry I’m looking forward to this new journey ahead.

I'm not sure if that could continue after this fall however I will be swamped with school with a very hard degree.

I have and will continue to read everything I can on BP !

I think using a "return on equity" calculation every year is a good way to measure whether or not to continue holding a property. 

I will continue to look into it and give you an update