In a pricier area, or if you’re banking on a perfect scenario, that cheap credit can suddenly get very expensive.I’m curious... if you went down this route, what kind of safety nets or alternative strategies would you have in place in case that perfect timeline doesn’t pan out?

Reward in RE prices for risk of course.As for horizontal I get mine from local community banks ..

https://www.qcnews.com/news/investigations/unfinished-business-multiple-homeowners-claim-nc-builder-took-bank-draws-cash-and-left-their-homes-unfinished/?

HUD and Agency financing is another beast compared to conventional or non-bank lending (Secondary Market).

As for other amenities, some crowd-pleasers that won't break the bank are coffee maker + starter pack of pods, basic workout equipment (yoga mat, resistance bands), phone charging stations by the beds, and basic kitchen essentials like olive oil, salt/pepper, coffee filters, etc.

The home was a bank foreclosure from a reverse mortgage.

The home was a bank foreclosure from a reverse mortgage.

The banks have been encouraged by the fed to work deals out with borrowers and I think that will continue to happen.

How would the bank even know the gross pay amount?

Quote from @Andrew Steffens: I know you said not using HELOC on personal property, but there are banks who do HELOC on investment properties.