On the flip side, we got some lower offers from investors who were just not savvy enough to see to potential in the property, or did not know how to properly recognize/analyze a deal when they saw it.  

(at a way way lower scale)... but i got put off by construction prices here...

I'm thinking I should create a C Corporation instead of an LLC, since the corporate tax rate was lowered to a flat 21 percent rate this year since the passage  of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 20, 2017 to avoid paying UBIT tax.

With an already low credit score, the chance of being approved for another credit card is pretty slim and the hard inquiry will lower your score even more, although probably temporarily.  

Eventually the seller will consider a lower offer of someone else will pay the sellers price.

Does anyone have recommendations for banks with a lower rate. 

Work on your credit first so you will have  lower interest rate.

Speaking for myself, I could do way better just taking the cash, paying the tax and buying great deals over time, than having to jump through the 1031 hoops, figure out the difference of paying the tax vs cost to defer, you may be surprised how much the 1031 will cost if you are buying several properties. also dont know how Cali works, but the tax rate may be lower depending how long you have owned/lived in the condo, and how you file taxes for it.  

Even your income savings of $1000 may have some risk to it, but it may be tolerable (i.e. low probability you will lose it or it goes lower).

And you might explore whether, in addition to your new rental residence, you can use the employer funding for an additional residence that has rental potential in a lower tax state (e.g., Texas/Utah) if you are permitted to work remotely for a portion of your time to reduce your CA state income tax burden.