If using a PM for STR, the LTR is better return even using your higher range of rent

Transactions both very smooth using a lender who is accustomed to working with them.  

Given that I've been able to find brokers willing to give me a HELOC off my primary residence with a fixed rate are there any drawbacks of using a HELOC instead of a conventional loan vs a home equity loan? 

I'm interested in getting a conventional loan and considering using a credit union. 

Using a 2nd lien on the target property or cross-collateralizing with another property can provide security in case of default.

And there's ways to do that without much risk using a joint venture with other investors.

I will admit, some of the frustration on Jerrylls side was caused by my team inadvertently, whether it is my team saying we can't force someone to stop using a design that looks like his (it's not our legal standing to do that) or our team not communicating well enough why we can't support helping people fix their custom CSS code if they messed it up.

you're not really 'paying off a loan' on a property if you're using a different loan to do it. and if you use debt as a down payment on a property, and finance the rest with another loan - that's a very expensive way to buy something. and you most likely will lose money.only you can decide what's best for youlet me know if i am missing something

Those are easy to finance, and the financing is solely based on the properties income using a DSCR ratio for qualification.I would look for a property like this one, https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5810-21st-Ave-Kenosha-WI-...Lets say you could buy it for $100k, and its $50k in rehab, and ARV will be worth, $200k.When you do the rehab, make sure all the mechanical systems are brand new, then you will have relative few repairs for the next 3-5 years.I can get you a loan for $90k purchase, and $50k, rehab, once its finished you can refinance into a 30 year fixed rate loan between 6.5-6.8%, and cash flow. 

As stated above there is typically not a cost associated with using a real estate agent as a buyer.