Phone calls/ texts go unreturned and the properties been sitting idle for months. 1st draw payments to the contractor partner didn't get used properly either. 

I draw permits, money is held back until their work passes inspection.

That being said, the words "lighten up" will be pinned up in my kitchen, until that happens.  

Once you have your goals set, draw out your plan and do it!

They will loan based on the property and you might get better terms if they are comfortable you know what you're doing (or more likely you will get worse terms if they think you're a total newbie).Depending on what you're doing you might get all the money at closing or you might get draws as you finish parts of your rehab.

You need to have numbers totally pinned down.

My thought is get the next rental as it will draw more income then the two refinances will save me.

But if there's a way that we could do it to avoid any issues, I can have my lawyer draw it up to protect me.

I'd hope for a lower rate but plan for the worst.  10 year draw period interest only payments = $125 per month (additional principle payments made ideally)20 year fixed payment assuming no principle reduction = $235 per month$235 payments would begin approximately 8 months after the primary mortgage on house #1 is paid off.  

Maybe you can draw out the area on the map and add a little description why?