But for the good of the group here's a couple responses to some things that have popped up in this thread.1. 121 primary residence exclusion - There is an exception to the 2/5 rule if your move was related to a job transfer out of area. 

He has exclusive option on that property via a wholesaler for about a week; the $290k price includes the wholesalers markup and his 3% fee. 

Going through the local newspaper for obituaries and estate sales always feels like being a vulture, and I make it a point to avoid bad karma.

Now that I'm back in a major city, I exclusively use cell phones.

If she's had it as mixed-use (some rental, some self-occupancy) this exclusion may be pro-rated, so if she's not anxious to sell and she lives there currently, I'd recommend sitting tight for 16 months and then selling to exclude maximum gain.

If the owner signed a listing agreement, the agent probably has exclusive right of sale as long as the contract is in force.

Your father's sale did not meet the qualifications for the sec 121 primary residence exclusion. 

@Simon Martinez, I believe you are describing the Section 121 exclusion, which allows for an exclusion of up to $250,000 of capital gains on a taxpayer's primary residence ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly).

I bought a duplex by the children's museum and got BHB Investments as my management company. one side of the property is rented out for $750, and the other side vacant. right after they took control there was a "large leak" in the kitchen which was right under the $250 amount needed for them to notify me about. no pictures, or any other proof; just a bill. okay..after a few months with no showings I looked up the property on Zillow, and trulia, and there were no pictures on the ad. after a discussion, they added pictures.i also told them to cut the rent to $700.after about a month I checked again, and they never lowered the rent. after a discussion, they lowered it to $700..after almost 5 months I've been trying to get them to list ads in LOCAL places (bulletins, news papers, social media, etc) I don't mind lowering the rent a bit more, but I feel like I'm lowering the rent because they are just to lazy to do any real work??

Recently we purchased our first investment property to be used exclusively for Airbnb and other short term rentals.