To go a bit further into what Dmitriy mentioned, since your IRA earns the income the tax treatment is specific to your IRA.

They are your best option, because when you have tenant turnover, at least you will still have income from the other units.

If not, the income won't be considered. 1.

I own a small portfolio that brings enough income for me not to have a w-2 income.

Note origination where the borrower owns multiple properties with little or no debt, needs a loan for an acquisition, but can’t produce proof of income sufficient to get institutional financing.  

My thinking immediately turned to researching local rental costs per square foot to determine income potential with triple the current square footage.

Agents on teams will get leads, learn the business and leverage the team for their higher income and future business success. 

For $500K go buy another income producing asset to offset any losses you might have.

Or sell using the 1031 exchange along with a partial 121 primary residence exemption There is a way you could take advantage of the 121 primary residence exclusion allowing you to take the first $250k of the gain tax free ($500k if married) and qualify for a 1031 exchange.Say you purchase a property as your primary residence (house hack extra rooms for extra income) and lived there for two years while stationed there.

@Jay Fayz Do you have a source of regular income?