.- Selling could yield $400-$600k, mostly tax-free, if sold by spring 2025 while within the 2 of 5-year capital gains exemption.Options:1.)

Mentorship and joint ventures are excellent ways to gain experience, and it’s essential to start small, communicate clearly, and build trust.

What make it hard to enforce is that the ‘Post Nup” must have both sides receive “fair” value - so what exactly is the spouse without the asset gaining?  

The plan aims to reduce living costs, gain landlord experience, and move closer to long-term financial goals.Good luck!

I am not afraid of the answer keep saving and I’m truly interested in any advice I can gain from everyone here!  

If you pay the surcharge of 2.5% that's $3,750 so you net a gain.  

Rather the equity than the taxable gain.

Not giving tax advise, so check with your CPA, but I sold a rental after it was my primary for over 2 years and as long as it was considered my primary residence "2 of the last 5 years", I did not have to pay capital gains on my property sale up to the IRS limit. 

Maybe if you can prove that you are actively trying to gain compliance, that will get you the much needed time to gather $, time to pull the permit and ppl to perform the work bc they will have a bit of mercy on you bc you are trying to do the right thing. 

You will have to do something unique to make it effective & useful to you... because it's always no pain, no gain!