[RickFLM4]

I don't think you mentioned the cost of the preferred new house. If you are swapping $400K houses, rolling your existing equity will go a long way towards getting a mortgage if your credit is reasonably good. How much of a mortgage are you looking at?

Also, if you think your 2018 tax return will assist with income for mortgage why wait until much later in the year to file it? Just get it done.