HELOC - any downside to credit?

[Brian Coons]

Hey everyone. I'm considering getting a HELOC as a tool to use for future deals while the rates are good right now. My question is whether this will have any downside to my credit if I decide not to use it on my first deal because I prefer not to put my primary residence at risk right away.

I'm currently at somewhere between 75 and 81% LTV, so I'd probably go 90, 100, or 100+% LTV for the HELOC. Credit is excellent.

I would assume this would not affect my ability to get a hard money loan, but would it affect my ability to get traditional financing on a 30 year fixed mortgage through fannie/freddie for a SFH or something up to a 4-plex?