[Zeke]

And, you have 2 years to reinvest the money even if you had a taxable profit. You don't, so you're free to do as you please. I think renting is a good idea. You say the market is declining, so the decline may very well pay for your rental period. I say that partially because acclimating to a new area does take some time, and the fact that your wife may take some time to find her house.