My realtor is reaching out to the listing agent but told me the seller may have restrictions (unclear what the restrictions are) on changing the contract now since they are doing a 1031 exchange.

There appear to be some new startups offering to pay up to 50% of the down payment on a house in exchange for around 35% stake in the house (they collect this upon sale).

If you want to sell it and avoid capital gains tax, you could do a 1031 exchange into a new deal.

Eventually, I might do a 1031 exchange.

This is why we require an in-person meeting (which everyone complains about) and unfriendly disclosures that state the high-risk nature of real estate investing not once but twice before we ever send out a property:“Real estate investment is speculative in nature and risk of loss can be substantial.

If you’re still trying to grow your portfolio then the rent to market price of the property you buy in 1031 exchange maters a lot, if you’re just looking for stable income and less headache it doesn’t.

I've been thinking I would like to fix the outside landscaping/fence/Kitchen cabinetry and roof so I that I can get the max rent or just sell and buy in the midwest, 1031 exchange (not sure if I qualify).

nope rentals but that's just based off of Zillow...my point being that state of the investor rental market has changed and to be aware of the competitive landscape, regardless of the type of exchange.

In exchange you might get in free to trainings. 

Then, products such as HELOC or 1031 exchange are not open to me as a foreigner so even though i have on paper $500k in equity I don't have a real way of tapping into it.Any ideas or suggestions what I can do now to keep growing would be much appreciated!