There's no actual difference between a house you've owned for 20 years and just re-levered and a house you just bought with a new mortgage, all else being equal. 

Looks like I was on the right track...And according to that last paragraph, it appears that the only gain that is NOT excluded is the gain equal to the depreciation claimed while renting the house, which, in my case was ~2 years. 

For a long term real estate investor, or one who hopes to be in it long term, a great lender relationship may be VITAL to your survival during hard times and your ability to take advantage of wealth building opportunities during good times.  

Easy results are not equal to accurate results.The best relief is usually accomplished in person.

And just make sure as much as possible to have the note amount equal the total of purchase, rehab and closing costs, or a specific % of those totals in order to be able to get the most from Refi?

It's vitally important to know who you are working with, and have the history of the players involved.

If they are VERY professional, they will have their processes in writing as verification that policies are enforced equally and fairly by their entire staff.6.

Not all newbies are created equal. 

If you can't wait 5 years, keep working until you can pay yourself equal to your salary.

So the facts are that you will only get paid roughly equal to the market rate for this service in your area.