I'm fairly confident from reading online we don't qualify for an exemption, but I'm trying to assess actual closing costs to trying and reduce them All details:Bought the house 2.5 years ago for $980K (left on mortgage $753K), we have a clause for an assumable mortgage for me to take over (I can keep same rate).

This is why you need to make sure you review your file prior to even getting the hard money loan because what if you do not even qualify for a conventional loan then you'll have problems and might not have a net benefit exit strategy.

2> Terms and best practices: What are some ways to better set myself up to qualify for long term debt service products?

In order to benefit from a 1031 exchange to defer my taxes will I need to convert my primary residence into a rental property and if I do, what's the minimum amount of time that I need in order to hold it as a rental to make sure it qualifies for a 1031 exchange?

For curiosity I asked Co-Pilot about it and got this response:The language in your CC&Rs stating that “no business or bed and breakfast is allowed” can indeed impact the interpretation of short-term rentals, but it may not be as straightforward as it seems.Definition of Business: Courts have often ruled that short-term rentals (like those listed on platforms such as Airbnb) do not necessarily qualify as a “business” in the traditional sense.

This is a perfect time to get your qualified intermediary involved if you don't already have one.

If in Texas, a lease purchase option longer than 180 days without consent from the lender to receive payment from the tenant/buyer is not possible.Also, you can assume the obligations of a VA loan -- it is a non-qualified assumption - meaning the lender is not qualifying or approving of the assumption. 

Thanks so much for your help in advance I would see if you could do a rent to own or seller finance. you are going to have trouble getting financing without income for a primary residence as the lender has to follow federal guidelines and your ability to repay - which if you do not have income that makes it challenging to qualify. 

My customer went to them 1 month ago with property criteria and was told they could do the loan no problem; only to be told days before closing the property does not qualify.

Abatement would qualify.