I need to set a clear intention which would make the decisions easier.

We are due for a slight correction, but those generally quite nuanced and they happen on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis (example: the prices drop 2%-5% for a quarter or two in a specific neighborhood).Q2 set a benchmark. 1/3 of all SFH sales were sold for $2m+, and the median sale price for a SFH was $1.62m, which was a 13% YTY increase. 

Do you have any goals set and figured out a certain strategy?

Pay to little and they won't want to work for you and just place a lien.....Come up w/ a set of milestones or draws, make it clear what needs to be done and when.

I think ideally we'd buy a place a couple months before I'm set to start school and I'd move down and do the work.

But I love the turn overs once it is set up as it means my cleaners are in there taking care of the place.  

It's very much an up and coming area; a lot of young movers and shakers are coming in and setting up shop in its rustic charm, investing in the local businesses and culture, and it seems like the local government is riding that wave, investing in public areas and roads.

It's a business entity set up with it's own TIN, filing it's own tax return, and with a different ownership composition than the tax payer for your 1031 property. 

Pick different potentials in the same investment market...run the numbers before and have a list of what you need to know or look at, then run the numbers after...depending on the property and intent use one of the calculators on this site for every one...work it as and then use the tool to calculate what it would need to be  --  if they are the same then it might be the right deal.Once you have this then you can move to other surrounding markets easier...just make sure you adjust your assumptions to align with that market.One final note and this depends on your area, here in FL you have to account for what your property taxes "will be" not what they are. 

Is there the ability to automate some of your workflows and set alert notifications to email and mobile phone so you never miss a new opportunity or status change?