homes sale timing

[Kallen_Web_Design]

We have purchased a new house and plan to list our current house for sale in the spring. Because of the location it might take 2-4 years to sell. This house will be quite profitable. A neighbor told me there is a (new?) rule about only having the profit on the sale tax free if you live in it 3 of the last 5 years. Does it make sense to sell it for less than we would like before that 3 years is up to avoid the taxes on the profits? Are there other considerations?

 

[kirby]

Summarizing your statements
1: Selling the house will be quite profitable
2. It can take 2 - 4 years to sell
3. You must have lived in former home 3 of last 5 years (to exclude up to $500K of gain for a married couple - not truly "tax free")

Your risk exposure is to the length of time it takes to sell the old house. So IGNORING EVERYTHING ELSE - putting old house on the market NOW makes sense. Note though - you really need to run this by a tax pro who can consider your complete tax situation. For example, if you can rent out old house for a huge monthly amount, that changes everything.

 

[bklynboy]

Sell right away. You have no idea what the house will fetch down the road - could be more could be less. Unless you want to retain as an investment and rent I don't see why you would keep it and continue to have carry costs and potential downside when you want to sell later.

For my benefit - why does it take 2-4 years to sell? What location is this (is it on the moon?)