We do however have a couple people in mind that we think might be interested in private lending.

So that's my sample size of n=3 for you...That said, insurance costs for flood and wind were a key factor in me *not* investing in a couple of properties in Gulf Shores. 

Definatly losing a couple of thousand a month on your dead equity.

Maybe I should take a couple of properties and do that to start with to generate some more income. 

Going to renovate for a couple of years and then start investing in income property afterwards.  

I've bought a couple deals from wholesalers, and it works out, but when I see the assignment fee that I'm paying, it just makes sense that I should go out and find my own deals--I'll have way more equity and my portfolio will be way healthier in terms of profitability and equity.There's a lot that goes into finding one's own deals--marketing for the leads, following up with the leads, getting them under contract. 

I have a couple land contracts and a mortgage on my primary residence.

But there's a couple snafus when you get to the 1031 side of things. 1.

I have one rental, paid in full, bringing in $1k, and my fico is 655, still working on getting a couple negatives off.

Your wisest course of action is to see if you could have the keys to your new place a couple of days early (after you have paid 1st months rent and security deposit) to allow you time to move.