Do I have to be a resident in the state im buying in? 

To receive the 4% ratio, you have to submit an application showing the property is your primary residence.

If the duplex sells for $500K and you exchange into a duplex in LA for $1 mil then you could use 50% of it as your primary residence.- Do I qualify for for a section 121 exclusion sense I lived on the property for the first 2 years of ownership?

Investment Info:Single-family residence fix & flip investment.

Additionally, you may just want to ask your tenant to be mindful of the other residents by using some form of air freshener or scented candles etc. you would be surprised what a conversation can do, maybe you'll get a more favorable result.Best Chris

Should I refinance, I know I cannot do  HELOC because it is not my primary residence. 

I'm excited for the opportunity to be apart of the community with BP, I reside in the state of Virginia and started my investment journey many years ago at 22 doing fix and flips, I stopped when the market crashed in 2007/2008 and didn't like the way the market looked and I left the investing world, I became a mortgage loan officer, and then processor and later underwriter and learned the backend of the conventional lending world.

As a non-resident, I’m finding the process challenging due to factors like high upfront costs, foreign buyers’ taxes, and financing limitations.I’d love to hear your advice or experiences regarding:•Strategies to manage the high initial costs and foreign buyers’ taxes.

The Taxable Value is uncapped and equated to the SEV upon a sale or other transfer of property ownership, with limited exceptions.Homestead versus Non-Homestead Millage RatesCounties & cities in Michigan are allowed to set their own millage rates, with one restriction – a primary residence (Homestead) is exempt from up to 18 mills of school taxes on their Homestead property.

Investment Info:Single-family residence fix & flip investment.