Section 1031 does not apply to exchanges of: Inventory or stock in tradeStocks, bonds, or notesOther securities or debtPartnership interestsCertificates of trusthttps://www.irs.gov/newsroom/like-kind-exchanges-under-irc-code-section-1031

save up that initial 20% for a conventional down payment, have another 20-30 % for repairs and emergency funds.  

this is tricky, it tends to be a case by broker-case basis, and only a handful of brokers control the bank-owned..yikes......i forgot if the agent can rep. the bank and you, there in NC, if you make offer..Just thinking out-loud and opinion, not telling you what to do, dont know your plan (hold, flip, or your funding):  ...get over there, with a property preservation buddy, assess the repair and upgrades, (unless its already pretty perfect or you feel the agent can give you some accurate idea)...ask agent what he/she can sell for in good condition, confirm.. then factor arv, repairs needed, make offer with 10 day due diiigence professional inspection......are you offering an almost full retail-market priced forclosure anyway, then are you going to hold it for cash flow? 

Also, We would like to create a fund so that we are not waiting on money to come for each deal, as we would like to close quickly and not wait for different people to fund.

The QI world is unregulated and it’s important to make sure the company you choose is insured and bonded and has the experience and expertise to assist you.  

I have the time just not the funds to make it happen on my own.

I am looking to use some of my own cash plus hard money for my next deal, but how do I show proof of funds to get the deal under contract if I have to have it under contract to apply for the hard money?

From what I gather, it's the Canadian version of the US 401K/IRA.The QuestionCan Alfonso use these funds to invest in US Real Estate deals?

I have money saved for a down payment and once I start working I'll be good in the funds department. 

Syndication, fund, or single-member LLC?