If it is someone you know you can give them a straight return as if its a loan - can provide a lower interest rate to provide upside - it really depends on the lender and what are they concerned with and what is their risk profile. 

The reality is the opposite - if it's not in writing then the PMC doesn't have to provide the service or can charge extra for it!

but they don't provide current rent, value, what they have capital wise, etc. 

If you have extra cash at the end of the month, then do double up payments on the mortgages so the principle is reduced and this will increase your heloc room.

Setting up direct bookings is a great way to save on fees, but you’re right—it requires extra effort to ensure everything runs smoothly.For vetting guests, start by asking a few questions when they inquire, like the purpose of their stay, how many people will be there, and if they’ve stayed in short-term rentals before.

I can't imagine how much extra time is spent without having automation.

So, your focus may need to pivot from high rental cash flow to little to no cash flow as a rental with an appreciation upside.I would recommend taking your $150K to $200K and securing a solid equity position in something that will cover its expenses and maybe provide a small cash flow, but then is poised to appreciate nicely over the course of the next several years. 

If you die while holding the property, it gets a stepped up value and all the gain is tax free.If rental the taxes can be deferred via a 1031 and if you die while holding it, it gets the stepped up bases with gain forgiven.Hopefully the numbers provide some example of possibilities. 

The utility company doesn't manage your property...they provide paid services until they're not paid anymore. 

Their pro formas felt optimistic with providing 6% annual appreciation and property management that is only about 6% of rent so I take it with a grain of salt (they offer their own property management services but it has terrible reviews on Yelp so I would probably go with someone else).