I got a HELOC a while back through Pentagon Federal Credit Union.

My question is, are the rates/terms substantially better if I were to look at the local community banks/credit unions?  

Construction trade union offices and centers are also a good source of  cost information as well as construction trade educators at schools and colleges.

So, to my question I reached out to our credit union because we have a business line of credit with them .

I hear the stories of credit unions working wonders and I make lots of calls but I guess I haven't found that kind of relationship yet. 

If you call around to some local banks and credit unions you might find one that doesn't have an issue writing smaller loans.

I'm going to go to my credit union and talk to their loan officer to get as many answers as I can, but I'm still at the point where I don't know what I don't know, so I'm hoping that some of you can provide me with questions or situations to ask the lender about that I may not know to ask. 

I own 1 unit in a 6 units building in Union City, NJ. 

So far i've checked with multiple banks and credit unions and found nothing. 

Inspirational every time.If you haven't already, I would recommend that you start talking to lenders (banks, mortgage brokers, credit unions, etc.)