I recently changed Firms and in my previous role had been maxing out my 401(k) every year as is the "standard" course of action (my last company also provided a 401(k) match so this made more financial sense).

It is always best to take a firm position and say no otherwise you are heading down a rabbit hole.

Talk to a Civil Engineering firm with experience in "land development". 

@Monét Marshall, as Luka said, my law firm focuses almost exclusively on real estate law and closings in the Nashville/middle Tennessee area.

Please note I'm an elder law attorney in Pennsylvania, (feel free to google my firm to confirm - and each state's interpretations of the federal rules are different.

You can always transfer to other firms once you stand up on your feet.

For these purposes I'm taking a little closer look at EM/MOIC as a simple metric I can use to build a very macro model of my strategy over a long period of time. 

I'd be looking to invest about an hour south/west of DC If you invest out of state you'd be a total madman to do it any other way than with a turnkey company &/or a Property Management firm that also sells rentals.

I recommend Just going with a Separate branch, an entrepreneur who started his own management firm. 

There are many QI firms like ours who do nothing but 1031 exchanges.