Told that to complete a 1031, the title cannot change from one farm to the next.

I think @Jack Medford is spot on.If you ever visit Milwaukee, let's connect.

How I do listings changes very minimally, because I already did most of what this change will require.   

And you specified 5-unit, so I assume that you are interested in what changes exactly at that cutoff. 

I feel as if I have too much debt compared to my income to ever be able to get another loan for the next property.

And if you do a 1031 out of California they’ll want their cut if you ever sell.

Where/how are you preparing for / learning about these changes?

And why would you ever think of trusting her?

Luckily the seller of my first property is understanding and has given me some things to take care of in terms of changing over utilities and such (this is a duplex).

That's not possible...If you signed a contract for $100k, that's the price 'until and unless' there are changes requested by you OR required by circumstances (in-wall wiring is frayed. headers are undersized, etc)Second - Please don't breakdown the materials and buy them yourself.