Rental Property HELOC.......Is it possible?

[Kesete Thompkins]

I'm an experiences investor who has built a portfolio based on buying houses with cash. I have one house that has a mortgage, and that home has the most equity in it in my portfolio. I don't want to fully refinance the house because I don't want to restart that mortgage clock, but I know that I can do more deals by tapping into the equity. 

I've contacted various banks/lenders and they are not budging on granting a HELOC because they want to be in first lien position.

I have a couple questions:

1. Is it refi or bust for me?
2. Any banks/lenders you'd recommend?
3. Any advice on next steps? 

Thanks in advance.