If so, you can use a HELOC finance your excess equity on your house out.  

Now that you mention it, i wonder too, hiring a structural engineer to determine this sounds excessive..

The builder sprung some increased expenses on us that are in excess of 30% of the original price quote.

I also see half of the home needs a good carpet cleaning and has an excessive number of items hanging on the walls.I hereby give you until midnight on [DATE] to comply with the lease by removing all recreational and/or inoperative vehicles from my property, cleaning the carpet, and removing the excessive wall hangings.

Banks have learned in 2012-2013 that they are loosing money selling deals directly to investors (some of my best purchases personally, wish I could go back) and started to list on MLS for maximum exposure and highest possible sales price.

Not only is it harder to cashflow, but you're more likely to be loose in your assessment and faster to walk away if the going gets tough. 

If I’m reading things correctly, I can’t do a 1031.  I could invest the cap gains above 500k in a QOZ fund I assume?  Any other options?

While I agree that prices are excessive, I believe they are excessive for a reason.

I stay away from condos because of the condo fees as they can be quite excessive and not within your control. 

That has to be income in excess to what the current property would have made if you didn’t sell, not just making $30-50k.