My suggestion is to sell all four investment properties and trade up to a larger multi-family property using a 1031 exchange and start realizing some economies of scale.

Alternatively, you could buy cash and then get a private lender to loan you money in exchange for a 1st lien position (ie be the bank).

I'm considering a 1031 exchange out of New York to a property closer to my location. 

CIR, the memorandum for Inspections of Sections 469(g) and 121, scoured the web, and have attempted to find an attorney/CPA with no luck to help me answer a the question stated below:I am selling a home (currently in escrow) in the Bay Area that I have owned as my primary residence jointly with my parents since 2004 (not purchased in a like-kind 1031 exchange).

Yes @Samuel Chua foreign investors can do 1031 exchanges to defer tax. 

The seller was in a 1031 exchange with another property in which he was already non-refundable on his earnest money.

I ended up waiving Marchs rent in exchange for the tenant fixing the shower surround and any drywall patching that was needed from the plumbers repairs.

If I have to sell, most likely will be moved towards a 1031 exchange.

Money in exchange for equity, HELOC is generally easier to get, it's like a credit card, use it as you wish or draw on it as needed.

@Andy YoungBefore selling this property, consider 1031 exchange to defer paying taxes.