I highly recommend start connecting with others in your area, gain value relationships, and learn more about investing first hand.

Sell the current house (current mortgage at 3%) and use the gain for down payment and 1031 exchange for the new home.

They also tend to not care as much about the time because they are trying to hit the 2-year mark so they get the capital gains exclusion when they sell.

Attend local real estate meetups and join online forums to expand your contacts and gain valuable insights from experienced professionals.Above all, be patient and persistent.

Gains will be higher in the better areas. 

I'm particularly passionate about starting my journey and finding the best markets, but above most having fun and gaining experience along the way! 

I just sold my business and in looking for ways to offset capital gains taxes stumbled across a strategy in which a STR can write off all depreciation in year one via a cost segregation analysis, thereby reducing taxable income greatly for a specific year.

Self-employment tax will be required on the net gain, which will of course be 0 after property expenses and depreciation.

I'm here to gain knowledge, share experiences, and build connections with fellow investors.

On the other hand if you feel the stock market is going to under perform the 6.8% (knowing that the average long term gain on the stock market is 7%) then you might consider paying off the notes more.