I've been look at 2-3 bed room condos in Tier 1 neighborhoods and the numbers make sense as long as the HOA fee is not too outrageous. 

Keep in mind HOA Fee. which will probably eat up your cash flow if you want to focus on condo. 

HOA dues?

No HOA.

We live in a great neighborhood with no HOA and an increasing number of short term rentals.

So this is the short version, I purchased a property at a sheriff auction a week ago due to a HOA lien, which was in second place to a very small first mortgage in good standing.

Success but HOA always an added operating and fixed/growing cost Lessons learned?

I have recently become a new president of our HOA which has been in shambles for years, long before we purchased.

The big cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington are probably the easiest and pick non-HOA neighborhoods.   

But the property may be in a different location or be a different type.If you're looking for less maintenance then a 1031 into NNN commercial might be the thing.If you're looking to hedge fees out of your control then the move from an HOA controlled property would be appropriate.The point is that a good replacement property in a 1031 is less about just the price and more about relief of what your pain point is.