We are under contract for a STR 3 BR that has sleeping capacity of 12+ people but the property is approved for a 1BR based on septic from health department.

I can't say for sure but it seems to change people's mentality on the whole thing. 

Plenty of job opportunities abound that are under $50k/year.Gastonia seems to have a larger land mass which includes many areas of trees; curvy country roads; mountainous terrain in parts of town; several town Burroughs with a country feel; and scenic views that depict a historic past and city improvements that suggests a progressive future.North Carolina has an extensive health system that consists of urgent care facilities in certain parts of both cities.

@Kimberly KimA couple things - While you did not live in the property for 2 years, you may still be eligible to get a benefit from a partial section 121 exclusion.There is a partial section 121 exclusion available for property owners who sell because of health, employment or unforeseen circumstances.We would have to determine if you would fall under the unforeseen circumstance situation.Some items that qualify for unforeseen circumstance would be giving birth to children(and moving to a bigger house) or getting divorced.

Don’t get hung up on the realtor mentality.

I could write a book on the days nursing bloody knuckles, years of no vacations, junker cars that no date would be seen dead in, maxed out credit card frugality & the proverbial, mentally exhausting, room-mate trials & tribulations. 

When you sell, you would owe taxes on whatever the sale price will be minus $50k, so your refi is baked into this total gain.PS. an unsolicited piece of advice: "super DIY guy" mentality is super dangerous.

I ended up filing a lawsuit against the property management company for severe damage to my personal property and health issues from black mold from a leak they took over 90 days to even address AFTER I filed the lawsuit.

I definitely made a mental note to myself not to just go with whoever's the cheapest.

@Joey Shanahan I live in SoCal and I am also in the health care field.