More specifically on the 1031x, if I sell my property, then take the profit, identify (within the time frame allowed) and invest in an apartment syndicate, would that qualify for a Like-Kind Exchange?

Ask the BP community for recommendations and I'm sure you will get answers that will help you identify trusted team members in any area you want to invest.also, you can close as many properties as you can, as long as you have the right team.I bought my own home while I'm working overseas, all I had to do is go look at the property when I was back home, my realtor that I trust put the team together and closed the deal for me.

I was able to identify in the zoning map Tanya provided that our house is in an R-6 single family zone.

Here's what you need to know (this was taken directly from the Fannie Mae selling guide):The basic "Second Home" Requirements are:must be occupied by the borrower for some portion of the yearis restricted to one-unit dwellingsmust be suitable for year-round occupancythe borrower must have exclusive control over the propertymust not be rental property or a timeshare arrangementcannot be subject to any agreements that give a management firm control over the occupancy of the property***If the lender identifies rental income from the property, the loan is eligible for delivery as a second home as long as the income is not used for qualifying purposes, and all other requirements for second homes are met (including the occupancy requirement above).So as long as you can fit the second home into those points above, you can acquire financing for a 2nd home.HOWEVER (and this is a big however) there are these things called OVERLAYS. 

What you want to identify is how often the tanks are being pumped. 

And to OOS investors, that's hard to identify without boots on the ground. 

As for lienholders, you identify them through a title search, then you give them the certified mail notice, and their rights burn off also.

I am worried a regular home inspector wont be able to identify this and I could be looking for costly rewiring for the rest of the house in the future which would make it uneconomical for me to purchase and could kill the deal.  

Once you've identified a market you can then research turn key companies within your chosen market.

I agree with @KJ L. that you need to identify what type of investing you'd like to do in either or both of those cities.I have been to both of these cities and found approximately 15 properties that have been contacted that I would like to get under contract, to wholesale.My objective is to wholesale first and build up some capital reserves, then eventually to buy a SFR to fix and flip.