Unfortunately this is an extremely difficult area right now. 

It would be extremely unlikely that someone would try and build your plan somewhere else... your preferences and everyone else's are not always going to be the same....

In your situation, you can plan to minimize your losses or to trigger passive gains to absorb these losses.

@Joe Mills be extremely careful on the values of the homes in the total value.

Because they think it is going to lead to riches and they have no idea they’re looking down the barrel of a loaded gun with a trigger that is going to get pulled within the next 24 months.

I worked with a local bank that had extremely low costs to refinance so it was well worth it for us, but some bigger banks may catch you off guard. 

I really see Columbus Ohio as an extremely safe bet for the next 10-20 years.

This is extremely helpful Mike thank you.

Next renovation I will have it outlined & ready to pull the trigger when ready.   

In the MOST extreme case, I can walk from a rental, but not from my home.