I have multiple listings across different parts of Florida and I don't even live in FL.

I have used George and Bill at www.1031esi.com multiple times.

I can't speak for the city itself / near the university, but up in areas like Liverpool properties are getting multiple bids regardless of the condition.

Additionally, would love to hear how others manage multiple listings with the help of others.

I have invested in real estate casually in the last several years, and am looking to step up my game by learning from those willing to help, and succeeding with real estate. 

This could work well if you’re looking for steady monthly returns and don’t mind managing tenants (or hiring a property manager).Selling could also make sense if you’d rather use the $500,000 to diversify into other investments, like buying multiple properties or even a short-term rental on the lake as you mentioned.

Has anyone with experience of multiple valuations in Portugal got a view on whether banks typically under value their valuations as a norm or not? 

There are a lot of areas that multiple property managers won't touch.  

The Mexican corporation, generally advised if you buy multiple properties, given the higher costs.

Multiple professional references, when addressing this issue, carefully state: "the IRS position is..." - which to me indicates the same doubts that I have about the legality of the IRS position.Until the IRS is challenged in court over this position and loses, I choose to comply with their position.