To rent the home, I would lose about $2,500 per month (based on comparable rents in my area, property management fees, etc).Both options loose the same amount by roughly 2 years, and by this time, I still will not have built up much more equity in the home to make selling it a break even unless there is price appreciation by then.My dilemma is this: I speculate that my home will not appreciate much in the next 3-5 years due to the rapid pace of development in the surrounding area.In 5-10+ years, maybe, but by then I'll have bled $150,000 - $300,000.I have thought about this a lot and feel that I mar'-too close to the problem to see the best solution.

Keep in mind it is a risk and speculation, if something happens(market tanks, job loss, etc) then you will be out money.

Keep in mind, though, that each lender has their own criteria for how much future potential they’ll factor in, so it might come down to some skillful negotiation and presenting detailed projections that don’t feel like puffery.Just be careful not to come off as overly speculative…lenders tendd to shy away from what sounds too good to be true.Anyway, I’m curious.. have you spotted any other investors in Gainesville facing a similar refinance puzzle and what kind of terms were they able to secure? 

None were a match for me personally and many were not a strategy I wanted or too speculative (such as opportunistic strategy which is the riskiest strategy or investing in tertiary markets which also tend to be the first to go belly up when there is trouble etc).You probably actually want to look at your operating agreement to see what rights you have to books and records, etc. 

I understand that with traditional mortgages, it is unlikely to receive lending that incorporates speculative renovation costs.

Consider this, as an “experiment”, 24 months ago I invested $300,000 in equal amounts ($30,000 in each) in 10 speculative small REITs.  

There, now it will appraise as a FORMERLY illegal bathroom, current storage closet (appraisals are about the CURRENT property, not speculation about what the property might once have been historically). 

this is only a good idea if you have reason to believe that the area will be appreciating quickly, which is called speculation and akin to gambling not investing. me personally, I would rather put my money on black than bank on market appreciation. negative cash flow rentals are a time suck and money suck.

This is the “over night” success that’s taken 20 years.2 - Superior uncommon knowledge, combined with experience and capital and a willingness to take a risk (speculate).  

I'm not too hung up on this, because the margins still appear very attractive (from what the agent speculated ARV). my hesitancy stems from a lack of experience and direct steps/plan of action to take on a property I like.