Just weigh the short-term savings from buying down now vs. the potential flexibility if you decide to refinance later

STR offers higher income potential, flexibility, and tax deductions but is subject to seasonal demand.

Here’s a quick take on each option:Sell and buy in SoCal: This offers simplicity and high appreciation potential, but with all capital tied up, it limits flexibility if the faculty housing waitlist falls through.Keep current home as a rental, downsize in SoCal: This maximizes long-term profit through appreciation of both properties but might feel tight financially and in space.

Unlike a 1031 exchange, it gives you more flexibility in timelines and reinvestment options:- You typically have two years (sometimes up to three) from the end of the tax year in which you receive the insurance payout to reinvest in a similar or related property.- There’s no requirement to go through a qualified intermediary, as with a 1031 exchange.3. 1031 Exchange: A 1031 exchange is also an option but is generally less favorable than a 1033 in involuntary situations.

Credit Unions are a lot more flexible vs the big box banks.

Maintenance and potential repairs will also require a long-term financial plan and setting aside a contingency fund for such expenses.The steady cash flow, appreciation over time, and tax benefits can make a meaningful difference to your wealth in the long term, especially with the principal paydown on the mortgage.However, if managing the property from a distance feels too burdensome, or if you’d prefer the certainty and flexibility that comes with having less debt (especially given the high mortgage rates), selling and using the $100,000 in equity to reduce your loan for your next home may be the smarter move.

If you use more of your own cash for the project, you become less versatile and flexible if a problem arises. 

There are several other Skip Tracing companies with flexible spending options, no high-cost monthly commitments.

Consider exploring townhomes or single-family homes nearby with fewer HOA restrictions for more flexibility.

This is because losses in a Partnership LLC are generally considered passive or non-passive depending on your involvement, and the structure of the LLC can provide more flexibility in how losses are handled."