There is a huge amount of difference between wording of the statutes and sec 1031 in its practiced form with a lot of case law that's been used to shape practice.  

Other than that, becoming intimately familiar with your materials...you have to know SKU's, and this just takes time and practice (and a lot of frustration and trial & error).

And I also got the rest of 2014, which consists of another 66,000.

If this works is this common practice for buy and hold investors?

Then it's worth your time for the practice. 

Keep in mind that negative reviews don't necessarily mean a bad manager but a pattern of negative reviews indicating the same conditions or practices is a bad sign.

I think you should ask why, sometimes it takes a little hand holding when people have been burned consistently.

Is an LLC a practical requirement to investing in buy-and-hold with a partner? 

I would caution that whatever route you take, be consistent to each and every tenant because if you say one thing but do 2 or 3 things, courts will not look positively at you for inconsistent practices.If/when you need to find new tenants, be sure to have your own application, use the GBREB forms, and I've used the smartmove background/credit check online system multiple times with much success.BTW, you will find multiple opinions of what to do or not do... neither is right or wrong, everyone has their own system that works for them, so you will need to make that choice on your own.  

I looking to get a consensus of what is the top 3 biggest cost for rental properties owners occur on a consistent basis?