Some will try to make you look only at the area they are familiar with.

Can anyone familiar with these type of transactions, specifically in the Sacramento, CA area, shed some light on how you go about compiling a mailing list for Probate properties?

Looking for RE knowledge but also for someone familiar with tax credits.  

As you become for familiar with the prices and rents (!)

Yeah I'm familiar with that approach.

Closing costs is guess would be about $10,000It Thee than writing a big fat check, any other options y'all are familiar with to find the downpayment?

I can probably raise the money by myself, but hard money lending is also an option.Will be happy to get recommendations of such contractors etc if you are familiar with.10x!

Partial or Split 1031/121On this I am less familiar, but I am quite sure one can perform a partial 1031, giving the 1031 treatment to the investment portion of your equity, and I am pretty sure this goes for the 121 home sale exclusion as well, so that *I think* an option might theoretically be to do a 1031 with the investment side of the duplex and a 121 with the side you're living in.

Right now I want to get very familiar with my tools and get better at serving people.  

We are also searching for contractors, property managers, and knowledgeable real estate agents that are familiar with Buffalo rentals/buy and hold situations.- If you meet this criteria or know someone you could refer I would greatly appreciate it.