When we moved, we turned it into a rental, hoping this would be the start of our real estate journey—something we’d like to continue once my husband retires.Some key details:My husband is active duty and will retire in 3 years.We have one final move coming up this summer to Raleigh, NC.Our current debts are crippling us—the high interest makes it tough to stay afloat every month.The plan me and my husband are thinking bout:Sell the rental property.Use the proceeds to pay off all our debts, set aside emergency funds and a down payment for our next home.Free up $1,500/month from debt payments, and that also can stash in a high-yield savings account.Regain full VA loan entitlement, allowing us to purchase a multifamily home and use the house hacking strategy for up coming move.Avoid capital gains tax, since April marks five years of ownership, and the tenant’s lease ends in May.This wasn’t our original plan, and we hate the idea of using our equity to pay off debt.

For those who’ve used it, what strategies or sources have worked best for you when covering the difference between your loan and the total project cost?

It’s a lower risk strategy since you’ll be living in one of the units, and you’ll qualify for low down payment loans.

Well worth it and the best strategy to start in my opinion. 

With the right strategy, it can become the foundation for building wealth.

For many it could be a decent strategy to invest their money back into their property.Its the same thing for doing a renovation.

I am not sure I agree with that strategy.

Part of those cuts included the short-term rental tax loophole, a strategy real estate investors can use to help mitigate their rental income tax by offsetting earned income with real estate losses, and could be renewed or extended.  

You're going to have to scrap like crazy to break even - think rent by the room, short term, mid term strategies that require more work.

@Fulati PaerhatiA 1031 exchange is a powerful strategy to defer capital gains taxes and grow your rental portfolio.