My question is, what are my options?

You do have to think through your options, you said you wanted to take the 500k tax exemption by selling with the 5 year window.

This is what makes the new 5% down option so appealing for new investors/house hackers. 

Recognizing that I'll need to discuss options with an attorney, I'd like to have a few alternatives to bring up and talk through with them.

I would say that the challenge in both cases was "lack of knowledge" regarding their lending options.

Don’t underestimate the power of location in real estate investment – it can make all the difference in the success of your investment.

I'd show that GC some renovation options for potential rehab strategies.

if they stopped paying you would foreclose (depending on state laws.)i have bought on seller finance, and i think it's a great option for sellers / investors looking to end / exit their careers. 

Here is what one of the new people I coach from Socal did with a property in Phoenix I helped him find. He has taken his training seriously. It’s a Subto (Subject To) that I helped him buy “off market” and he chose to...

I just wanted to see what would be the best option to sell it quicker.