FMR displayed on the HUD site is with utilities included.

Although it was in good condition, we earmarked some funds for further improvements, including repaving the driveway, installing a new privacy fence, and making select upgrades and repairs inside the units.One of the standout features of this property is its prime location near the vibrant downtown area of Bryan, with easy access to restaurants and shopping, which added considerable value to our investment thesis.Initially, our plan was to utilize the duplex for Airbnb rentals.

A big one is cold calling but things like mailers, door knocking, mass emails any sort of direct response marketing is great to find actual deals.

Now, you still have to comply with all of the standard 1031 rules -- including (A) buying properties that are at least as valuable as what you sell, and (B) moving all of your equity from the STRs into the LTRs -- then you may still pay some taxes even with a 1031. 

Jack Bosch and a lot of the land flipper guys who teach it like to have their students buying in the high deserts and remote areas of the Western US  or in FLA like le High Acres etc. this is were cheap land is and land that gets traded constantly at tax sales.. the play for most of them is really simple.buy at tax sale or with direct mail.. for a few grand  re-market them for more and sell on terms and collect monthly payments.. 

,taking money unlawfully from people and refusing to answer phones, emails, chats, etc.

As you network with people interested in an off market deal, you can creat a FB private page or send a mass email to help find buyers, but again the front end of finding the properties can be challenging (but not impossible!). 

I'd imagine the same could be true of posting a for-sale sign in the front of the house, a free craigslist ad, or an email to one of my existing contacts saying 'hey, this is for sale!'

As a former New Yorker who was a realtor in both NY and PA (Orange Co, NY and NEPA) I learned a lot about North Eastern PA which includes the Pocono Mtns and Scranton-Wilkes Barre area.

When you lose that lawsuit, the court will issue a judgment against each and every partner for the full amount of the damages (which can also include court costs and post-judgment interest and depending on the terms of your loan agreement, maybe even the lender's attorney's fees for the suit).