That's awesome that you are doing your research well beforehand.

What is working well for you now?

You could ask them if you could start with the process-ie have a builder look at the property (with the owner okaying when you do it to avoid problems with people currently there), come up with plans, so you can start as early in the new year as possible.

I plan to get a property later this year and employ the house-hacking strategy (I already have the funds for downpayment and closing).

I have had some luck with MTR's as well, either direct booking or FurnishFinder, for seasonal workers, traveling nurses and snow birds, so thats something you can look into as well. 

She mentioned the market for resale properties is super-hot in Madison right now, and she suggested I check out a certain planned community nearby.   

I know they make marijuana smoke detectors as well as surface residue detection tests.

Once the 1031 exchange is completed (again assuming 1031 compliance), I can continue to rent the property indefinitely or at any point after 2 years of rental, use it as a primary residence and thereafter living in the property for at least two years qualify to use the Section 121 Exclusion to eliminate capital gains entirely (gains estimated to be about $70 K, well under the $250,000 single filing limit).

Hey Edwin, Are you planning on starting out in Sacramento?

I'm about to embark on my first commercial real estate development project.I plan to buy a ~1acre property in Georgia to construct a 20,000sqft building with the following breakdown:8,000sqft retail space7,000sqft warehouse space5,000sqft office spaceI'll be using some of the office space and warehouse space for myself.