To qualify for ANY tax exclusion under IRC section 121, the taxpayer must convert to principal residence use hand hold for an additional three years (so the holding period is no shorter than five years).

If married, that would be a $1.5 million writeoff against your overall gains.  

I understand your apprehension about rates, but as the old adage goes you "marry the property but date the rate".

The filing is a public record and when you file put maiden married etc. names DBA crazies.

i find ones who honest up front and honesty is confirmed by paperwork ate usually pay rent consistently  but anyone on taxpayer funded a long time or who have been evicted prior are more "dangerous" more likely not pay rent  than any felon.3. 

Realistically, I will be living in CA for the next ~5years; however, I'm not married to the area I'm currently living. 

Plus, you'll be changing tax payers right before a sale and 1031. 

Timing of payment will depend on if you are required to make estimated tax payments.

If you owner occupy and rehab the home around you great while looking to sell at the 2 year and a day mark or later (to wash up to 250K as a single owner occupied/500K if married).  

The other option would be if there is a possibility for you to sell your primary residence and every two years move to one of the property and gradually sell each property once you get that tax exempt which is $250 thousand if single or $500 thousand is married.