With some trial and error you can get a good person who will handle all the cleanings and re-stocking/inspection between guests.

Of course, some deals fall apart because of title issues or just too much wrong with house, when contractor inspects.

etc), general property condition at contract inspection and how many doors you have. 

I was and am skeptical on bidding especially since we can't inspect it prior.

We have yet to schedule her move-out inspection (awaiting her date/time preference). 

John, at the moment, strictly buy and hold in certain areas of Florida, but eventually once I build up some capital and credibility I would like to also look a little closer to home.  

And this is why periodic landlord inspections are essential. 

If you had been inspecting your properties you could of caught this problem early on and had them evicted or not renewed their lease and saved yourself from needinf a complete gut renovation.

@Kiku Yamaguchi, I think that you're saying that the apt you are selling now is a rental and you want to 1031 into something that will get you closer to the $30K annual number you want in order to be able to scale back your work life.If that's the case you don't have to reinvest into any particular type of real estate in order to benefit from the 1031. 

thank you Costa, but I was looking for someone closer to NYC.