This is my first Brrrr I'd start the process to get the appraisal ordered and try to get a tenant in there before closing on the refi, otherwise the lender may lower the max LTV

Now keep in mind that a LOT of people visiting my website are competitors and investors copying my site you can imagine that my conversion rate is quite high.So what you should be asking is really this.

That's the one I'd listen to. 

The best strategy I seem to have deployed so far was to contact all my current tenants and let them know I’d give them a cash referral fee of $250 for anyone they recommend to me that goes through the vetting process and successfully moves in.

Great Post, as a former self manager I'd love to connect with you on the approaches for both. 

I'd like to bring him in to assist with the renovation expertise as well as access he has offered to his labor pool.

I know I could have a family member co-sign a mortgage with me but not sure the best way to approach that conversation and what incentives I’d be able to offer to make it worth while for them other then their “familial duties” haha. 

*Have a USP right of the bat to convert leads*Have a huge/constant flow of leads from investors, sellers, partners, etc.If I was doing it for houses, I'd do the same thing, just work on the leads.

I'd been looking for a long time and nothing close to what we wanted.

I'd ask for referrals, and reach out to some local folks and see what is working and not.Best of luck!