If you do decide to start flipping homes- as a new investor you can either self finance with all cash, or you can contact a commercial lender like myself and expect terms to be 75-80% of the purchase price with 100% of the rehab financed through a draw.

Make sure you understand the auction process and are prepared for any unseen issues with the property.Auction Considerations: With auctions, pay close attention to the condition of the property, title issues, and financing restrictions.

If I have several options, I would prefer a HELOC with no initial draw requirements (i.e. to establish a literal line of credit that I have no specific short term plans to use), i.e. not something like the better.com HELOC. 

Draws in good demand for long term rentals as well as appreciation. 

well if I ever make it to the Smokies to see what the draw is  I will rent a condo then :)  I am just guess but I suspect folks that go there want to be in the woods and hear the birds and maybe some local mtn views etc.. or some sort of privacy they never get at home out east were there is not very much public lands close to where they live in the big city. ????

Government assistance/tax credits are of course a consideration that is factored in to the cost/benefit analysis of any form of new energy generation, as all forms of energy are heavily subsidized and always have been, long before solar entered the equation. 

If you have considerable equity in the property or multiple properties it's even more important.

Also I understand the funds aren't available for the improvements so that is another obstacle that has me leaning towards price reductions to move on as soon as possible.The exit of lower tier SFH's is something very few investors care to consider when making their investments but deserves far more consideration. 

A good PM will be able to quickly draw upon process, procedure and mechanisms in place to handle the "X" in your question. 

@Aristotle KumpisWe do 10+ Flips/BRRRRs annually and fund with Hard Money and Private Money.Hard Money will fund 90% of the purchase price and 100% of the rehab on a draw schedule.Our Private investors will fund the remaining 10% of the purchase price, the first portion of the rehab (to be drawn later from the HML), and the holding costs.Of course, with private lenders, you must give up equity or a return on the debt.