If you have lived in it for 2 yrs I would suggest renting it for 2 - 3 years and then selling it to avoid capital gains taxes. 

Just comes down to having the capital to get into those more expensive markets.

Quote from @Nate Marshall: Did they spell Capital as Capitol?

@Tove Fox - Residential Real Estate InvestingPros:Lower Entry Costs: Easier to get started with less capital required.High Demand: People always need homes, making demand relatively stable.Easier Financing: Mortgages are generally easier to secure with favorable terms.Simplicity: Easier to understand and manage, especially for beginners.Flexibility: You can use it as a personal residence or rent it out.Cons:Tenant Turnover: More frequent turnover leads to vacancy and more management.Lower Cash Flow: Income potential can be modest compared to commercial properties.Emotional Buyers: Residential prices can be influenced by emotions, leading to price volatility.Maintenance Burden: Landlords often deal with repairs and maintenance, which can be time-consuming.Commercial Real Estate InvestingPros:Higher Income Potential: Stronger cash flow and higher returns are common.Long-Term Leases: Tenants often sign longer leases (3-10 years), reducing vacancy risk.Professional Tenants: Business tenants tend to take better care of the property.Valuation Based on Income: Prices are based on the income the property generates, not market emotions.Shared Costs: Tenants often cover property expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance (via triple-net leases).Cons:High Entry Costs: Requires more capital or partnerships to get started.Complex Management: More expertise is needed; you may need a professional property manager.Economic Sensitivity: Commercial properties are more sensitive to economic conditions.Challenging Financing: Securing financing can be harder, with stricter terms and higher interest rates.Zoning and Legalities: More complex regulations compared to residential properties.Key Differences:Risk: Residential tends to be lower risk, while commercial offers higher rewards but with greater risk.Management: Residential is easier for DIY investors, while commercial properties usually require a team.Scalability: Commercial properties are easier to scale, offering more potential for significant cash flow increases.

So, in theory one could get a 2:1 leverage, earning the rewards on $2 for every $1 capital spent out of pocket.     

The only thing that might give me pause would be if I did not have sufficient capital on a building that was older but had appeared to have significant maintenance issues when I was looking at it to buy.

And, capitalism works to lower housing prices when this process is allowed to go into effect. 

While that is pretty far from me, the prices there are far more manageable than my current state and would let me deploy my capital a bit better.

Would love to hear your thoughts on whether pursuing this adjustment makes sense or if I should reconsider.For reference, I’ve included the following assumptions in my calculations:5% for maintenance3.5% for vacancy10% for capital expenditures and management feesThanks! 

Do you need cash flow to build more capital for the next property?