@Kevin Turano@Bill Exeter gave you an excellent technical review, and he is one of the best providers of 1031 services.

BP is an excellent option to hear others experiences and to glean information from others.

So, for example its been for a while that deposit banks really only care about doing "easy" loans so their good rates are only available to customers with very good to excellent credit and have solid w2 jobs. 

If you have excellent tenants, you can probably do some basic cosmetic work with their approval and cooperation.

For all applications I receive but deny the tenant, I need to send them an adverse action letter via mail detailing why they weren't selected?

My 2 biggest pieces of advice... 1) If you want the fast track, get a mentor - but the RIGHT one...it's a crowded space and we definitely made a mistake selecting the wrong one the first time around (now we're with an amazing group and have closed over 400 doors in 2 years). 2) Don't fall into the trap of thinking you have to start small ...you don't. 

I still think it is a great rental market and am focusing on areas with great parks nearby, amenities, and homes with excellent floor plans. 

You will also need a QI @Dave Foster is excellent...before closing.

----Personal Credit is good/excellent-I will only physically be in this area for another year and a half.

I have Excellent credit and roughly 15k in savings.