Shorter-term real estate, like flipping, can be like catching a falling knife. 

Shorter leases also help maintain smaller loss/gain to lease figures.

Your exchange period is the shorter of 180 days or the date of your next tax filing after closing the sale. 

Certainly it's better if the property has been held longer rather than shorter. 

So 8600-4831=3769But either way, even if I got higher interest or shorter terms; the cash flow today would just go toward paying the loan off.

Obviously this can be risky, but good returns.For anything shorter, I would use savings accounts with high interest rates (for savings accounts).

But shorter is normally better.If a listing agent withdraws and a seller tells you the five properties are under contract thats a huge red flag.  

However there could always be individual circumstances that might make a shorter (or longer) holding period appropriate.It sounds like you bought it with the intent to hold for productive use. 

But there could always be circumstances warranting a shorter or longer hold period.When you eventually sell that new rental converted primary there are some changes in how much tax free profit you will get. 

Most of the loans are for a shorter term than I desire.