Potentially choose a bank local to the area you are investing in-we made this harder on ourselves by not having a branch nearby.

Potentially choose a bank local to the area you are investing in-we made this harder on ourselves by not having a branch nearby.

Potentially choose a bank local to the area you are investing in-we made this harder on ourselves by not having a branch nearby.

The HmL I choose to work with has zero points if I put down 15% then it’s 1.3% monthly.

Or what dictates what date you choose within that window? 

You need a reputable agent in Atlanta or Charlotte who can get you through the 1031 Exchange.  

Owning an index fund is zero work, a rent house is not but can be very little work if you choose the right property.

Up to you and your realtor what you choose to use, but for example if you get the appraisal district to decrease the size, then you can't use that when you resale.Now that I look at your floorplan, my guess is it is the 3rd car garage. 

For example, if you were to use the same amount of acquisition capital to buy/live anywhere in the country or would you still choose that house?

You can still choose to do so, so you are not just deferring the cost to a couple years later, but know that this will eat into your equity.