This seems like the "safe" bet and I am very comfortable with taking a larger risk than that currently. 

My #1 goal is to make the home tenant ready and so the furniture needs to be fully operational and safe for use.

***here's the question*** Sooo, in my situation if I were to try to do most of the rehab myself(not very e-myth'ish of me...but for more of the hands on "experience") knowing it will take extra time, in your opinion is the 70% rule safe for $150-225k priced SFR(assuming it's a good property) for a live in flip,  in a possible plateau'ing (or worse) market?     

A french drain would be my first step and it isn't a big deal to DIY if done safely.

Safe friendly neighborhood.

I have cash for 30% down and $30K of repairs (that's a wild-*** guess and it could need only $10K, but this is my first rehab, so I want to be extra safe).  

It's statutory law AKA follow the law (landlord-tenant) to the "T" or risk fighting a losing battle and restart the eviction processI would rather play it safe.

worried about Lead Paint liabilityand finding a broker that can work flat-ratesince he's already found the buyer,and it was a 1031 property he will cash out.What's the lowest cost way to do this transaction safely?

Rental market has some fail safes with a large university nearby, beach within a mile and high end tourism.

If you're not, I would still sell and hold onto/park the cash somewhere safe to invest in the next potential downturn should it occur and create good opportunities.