My other project years back was searching for active businesses to buy, at one time laundromats, many located downstairs in mixed use properties. 

I recommend starting small and looking for turnkey properties to minimize the stress of managing rehabs.

Just create columns for every week and the rows are the activity and color code them in logical order.

I'm not longer a registered lender, active broker, nor am I an RMLO or an attorney.   

I’ve heard about home equity loans and HELOCs, but I want to keep my money in the stock market to maintain some diversification.My question is: would it be wise to take out a home equity loan for the full $200k to keep my stock investments active?

You can use the 1031 to sell a larger unit that provides better cash flow while minimizing active management.You can either try to cluster those sales together so they close in a way that lets your replacement property be listed on each 45 day period and you close on it within 180 days of the first sale (the first exchange that will expire).Or you could do something like a reverse exchange where your Qi purchases the new property and holds it for you for up to 180 days while you sell all of your properties. 

You get to make offers on your own and potentially save on buyer's commission.I wouldn't recommend if you already have an active income that is serving you well because it would be better to invest time in that endeavor if that's the case.

If so, flipping or active investing would be ideal.

If a significant portion of low income laborers were to be deported, both the cost and availability for pouring new concrete would become stressed.

You'll potentially increase your stress, fail to replace your lost income, and possibly lose part or all of your investment property equity.Focus on replacing your job and stabilizing your finances.