Should I move back into this house before selling it or 1031?

[Jack B.]

Goal:

Get money out of this house without paying capital gains taxes or having to do another 1031 exchange like I did on another house a year ago.

Background:

-I bought the single family home in mid August 2014.

-I lived in the house through February 2016. Basically I lived there for 1.5 years.

-I rented it out from March 2016 until present. In March 2019 it will have been a rental for 3 years.

One option:

I’m debating giving the tenants notice before the 5 year ownership mark and moving back into it before selling it, or converting it into a vacation home 6 months before selling it so I can get the money out without capital gains taxes. With the pending slow down, etc. I am hesitant to do another 1031 exchange.

Thoughts?

[Jack B.]

Dough! I just realized that 1031 exchange is my only real option, as I already had a primary residence exclusion within the last two years when I go to sell this house. 

What I MIGHT do is cash out refinance some money out instead.