Can he just wire the funds to escrow, I sign the deed of trust, and that's that?

One foot in residential and the other in CRE. 

And some lenders will let you pay the interest by drawing down on the loan.

I'm diving into some of the public county-level Zillow data.

A builder’s risk policy is also worth exploring, as it can protect the property, materials, and equipment during your restoration work. 

They are not on the deed, only the LLC is on the deed.

Hi Ali, welcome to the community! 

@Alex PenaI recommend finding local meetups to attend. https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521I have found all of my best connections at local meetups.Ill be at the beers and deals meetup tonight!

And then have equity to make a second purchase - but this time without the constraints of the 1031 timelines.

Partner Driven saw the Benton St property as an opportunity to achieve a high return with minimal initial investment, focusing on its high potential in the Pleasant Hill market.