Based on your ideal loan terms, here are some thoughts on the funders you’re considering:RCN Capital: Well-regarded for their flexibility and strong presence in the hard money space.

One of these days I may venture downtown to see if anyone is in the office, or if the space is vacated.

I’m also eager to dive deeper into learning about this space.

Strategies: maintain the most amount of credit lines possible without use; no late payments, ever; any credit that you do use as a consumer should be small relative to the credit limit of the account; keep your accounts open as long as possible; don't apply for credit unless you really need it to limit hard inquiries; space out any new applications or inquiries as far as possible. 

For example, if the home is worth 225k, and you can negotiate it down to 200k, and say you can make 2750 per month in the STR space.

A couple million dollar apartment building, office space, etc...

House hacking can reduce living expenses but may limit roommates or share space.

Personally for our company, since we entered the 1st lien space a few years ago, product availability with 2nd liens isn't a huge issue.

I'm 41 and have a successful career thus far in the Investment Banking space.

The story is long and not enough space.