I am active duty military, and we moved out and began renting it after six months due to deployments, then living in military housing, then permanent change of station to the East Coast, which should qualify us for the exemption.  

You asked a good question- Why are owner occupants exempt from portions of the Ordinance.

That is a byproduct of looking at your W-2 (taxable income) and not fully understanding the value of our other benefits: BAH, BAS, medical, dental, SGLI, GI Bill, VA Loan, etc.

Which will fizzle that return down quick when a big expense inevitably comes up.The only turn-key place I've seen 8%+ cash-on-cash returns in my market lately has been in commercial, specifically medical condo units with a sale leaseback structure.

@Jonathan SernaLike @Wayne Brooks said you did miss the chance to qualify for the primary residence exemption, but you're in a great position to do a 1031 exchange.

I take out the money every 3-4 months to have excess for expenses and emergencies.My reasoning for paying off home is that it's the safest investment that I can think of because of the Florida Homestead exemption Law. 

The margins are not so thin to where this rate difference would kill the deal.Can't speak to multifamily but the retail, office, and medical space I've been looking at has not seen any change in inventory or cap rates yet.

I actually liked the loan so much that I left my job in medical sales to join the broker who specializes in them!

Purchase price: $133,000 Cash invested: $11,000 A duplex on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids minutes from the Medical Mile and GVSU college campus.

I am interested in the Biotech Park and Shrewsbury areas currently because of the proximity to the commuter rail and the UMass Medical Center.