I guess the different strategies FOR ME would be.A- Find a lender that would actually do the refi and pay the tax.B- Sell a property and use those funds to lend as they would go back to the IRA. 

This is a family property for which I will be paying 3/4 of the most recent assessment value.

My wife and I have overhauled our personal budget to reflect the 'pay yourself first' approach (allocate in order: income comes in -> invest -> donate -> fixed expenses -> variable expenses -> fun $$).We are looking to see what experienced people generally recommend for a holding tank for that 'invest' allocation while we target our first real estate deal.What financial vehicles have you guys used that works well for this?

If you pay the $250 and they say it's all perfectly glued and installed schedule 80 then you're going to have confidence without worry.

For a flip, I assume I would pay off the HELOC once I flip?  

Focus on paying them off (smallest to largest), and you'll be living large in 20 years.

She agreed to pay a $400/month pet fee on top of the $1,150 rent.

I do not have 5 layers of management that make my rates higher, no lender I work with pays for my office space, licensing, benefits, marketing department, compliance department.... 

I just closed on one for that last week and it appraised.Under contract at 223k with seller paying 5k in closing.The property needs 20k in repairs. 

Use a quitclaim or warranty deed to transfer the title, and be prepared to pay Chicago’s transfer tax, calculated at $7.50 per $1,000 of the property’s fair market value.