@Forrest KalkHey Forrest- Like everyone says there’s no crystal ball.

I wish I knew how much the change in rates will affect things, but my crystal ball is pretty cloudy right now.  

Though no one has a crystal ball, it appears that the demographics and other factors are pointing toward a massive demand that will not soon be filled.  80 million Millennials plus 76M Boomers, many who are starting to rent again.

I really don't think there is a crystal ball out there to predict a downturn.

I certainly keep an eye on MANY financial indicators and have my bachelor's degree in accounting (right before most or all states changed CPA exam and thus accounting degrees to a 150 credit endeavor) so I know my #s well, but no one has a crystal ball yet as far as I know!

It is also crystal clear that if you move out from you primary residence, convert it to a rental and still sell it when the 5 year look back applies that you can take your primary exemption and pay only depreciation.It is also spelled out in statute that if you convert a rental to your primary residence you must prorate between qualified and non-qualified use.Your scenario is a primary that you converted to a rental and then later after the 5 year look back no longer applied you took a rental and converted it into a primary.  

So say you bought this househttps://www.redfin.com/IL/Crystal-Lake/178-Lincoln...You can put it in and it will tell you it is a 2 hour commute driving or taking the metrahttps://www.google.com/maps/dir/178+Lincoln+Pkwy,+...I am not an expert on the surburbs (actually I hate them), but you are going to have to go pretty far out to get a SFH for under $200k

@Crystal H.

There's no crystal on the other end of the Internet.

:\For the lurkers:Before falling in love with any such first time homebuyer "free money" program, you need to get crystal clear on if it needs to be sent to government for approval AFTER funding, or BEFORE funding.