Let's geek out a little and look at new development from the point of view of an economist.First of all, real estate is cyclical and typically, there is a period of expansion in inventory (period of new construction) after the recovery of a crash before you enter the "oversupply" phase and back into another recession. 

Just joined up after being a long-time reader because I finally need to ask: when doing a 1031 exchange, is it realistic to identify and secure 4-5 properties in the 45-day identification period (and abiding by all the other 1031 rules)?

I don't know about MD, but in Georgia you have a unilateral 7 day extension on RE contracts (either party can extend for any reason). 

It is not the ability to pay but for some reason he just doesn't make it a priority and always a day before the grace period or two days after. 

Various news articles indicated that these companies had been involved in alleged real estate fraud.2.A U.S. bank reported that a real estate investment company located in the eastern part of the United States made multiple cash deposits within a five-week period in amounts that totaled almost one million dollars.

Knowing this, I asked the owner's realtor if they could possibly end the lease this month or the following month (with me extending the closing an extra 30 days).

I have had that happen....not sure how MA is but in Indy they hold rent they get evicted for breach of contract period.

I had a previous landlord tell me I could extend a month, but went back on his word after talking with his wife.  

Others have covered it above, but definitely get a copy of the lease during inspection period. 

Definitely give yourself a buffer period before locking into a longer term lease to see how the "retraining" goes.