Below I've copied text from Pub 523 - Selling Your Home-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you own or live in more than one home, the test for determining which one is your main home is a “facts and circumstances” test.The most important factor is where you spend the most time.

The flame was just recently reignited and I'm fighting the urge to over analyze everything daily and I have to say that BP has played an incredible role in my action thus far and for that my future success will be forever indebted to both Josh Dorkin and Brandon Turner and the countless other seasoned investors imparting all their experiences with us.My REI goals are to focus initially on building my wholesaling business and build an incredible marketing system that allows me to do 1 to 2 deals a month until I can save and reinvest enough capital to be able to turn my strategies to fix and flips and ultimately build an incredible RE portfolio that brings in enough cash flow every month that will replace my income for my full time job so that I could focus that 240hrs/month on my REI business and to continue in my pursuit in attaining my Doctorate in Nursing. 

I would like to buy another house before the 2 years of rental income is factored in...what are some of my options considering we do not have enough to buy a house cash? 

(And I would factor in some expenses in your calculation like maintenance, etc). 

If you are buying their relinquished property, providing them  with a longer closing period could be a negotiating factor as it would allow them more time to find replacement property before their deadlines start to run.

In my opinion the HOA will never go down so you might want to factor in % increases.

@Jim WilcoxI've been in sales for what seems like forever and I've learned you're never selling a product.

The time factor with rising rents and values is one way they survive. 

Too much of a risk factor given what could happen and now that you know I think its an ethical decision.

Having the rent for an area you're not investing in won't help you much, frankly, since there's different factors that come into play to affect rent levels.