It seems like selling and renting is the biggest wealth builder in the end Rent in a lower cost area with a lower monthly payment and use the difference gained  to invest in the stock market ( which would yield around 8 percent) Keep the primary and hold it long term ( average appreciation in california from what I could see is about 5 to 6 percent if you look back in time Keep it as long term rental ,it would rent for $3800 current mortgage is 6150 $ - doesnt seem smart to me Let me know if you need any more details in order for you to give me a better answer or insights 

Lennar, for example, has introduced  incentives to the table, because Fort Myers and North Fort Myers area (the one developing now) are not a key migration market.

You also have to consider loan amounts typically need to be above $250K will carry a 3-5 year prepayment penalty.The biggest thing I see is loan officer are quick to offer a pre-approval for you but the fail to run the DSCR/Rents ratios up front.

One tidbit to note—the two biggest online rental listing companies are Zillow and Co-Star (Apartments.com is owned by the latter).

Tenants have zero incentive to cooperate with a sales showing.

Their biggest complain is about the rent to price ratio.

I was doing a lot of legwork and still paying RE agent for the transactions up until got my own license.pros: no commissions in your transactionseasier qualification as real estate professional to offset high W2 of spousecan get access to any house/ easy logisticsmore control in the transactionMLS access with all the information on tip of your fingers, you can move fast with the deallicense knowledge helps to make better decisions and gives broader understanding of the industrycan legally do property management for others, wholesale (many states now making outlaw to do it without license)cons:need to take an exam (it needs preparation and to be good not just barely pass you need to study)fees you pay along the way (MLS, brokerage(I signed with investor-focused on and have a monthly fee and a transaction rate))self-management including taxes and feesneed to relicense + paid education Don't forget the biggest con.

So, I got to help a family figure things out, I got to help them reorganize and get out of a massive hole, while I make money as well...Thats example is probably the biggest reason why pre-foreclosures for me.  

The biggest blessings I’ve received are the ones I didn’t work for and the ones I never saw coming.

The writing on the wall tells us Airbnb will be the biggest player in this space very soon (if they aren't already), and I want a good presence on there, with great reviews and Superhost status.Just my take.