@Peter Jin it depends on a million different factors other than the CoC.For instance, a 10% return on a turn key A grade property might be solid, while a 10% return on a C or D grade might be a nightmare. 

Hi @Guy Idan, like others in this tread said, is important that you "vet" the Syndicator (aka sponsor) - every component of the syndication is important (the property location and the local economic drivers, property class, the loan type, property management company, the sponsor, etc.) but I would say this is more as a bet on the jockey than on the horse.

Admittedly I am new-er to the Valley, but from driving all over it, it seems that the West Valley is going crazy...they are building as fast as they can. 2 new chip factories and tilt-ups everywhere.I'd bet on the West Valley if it were me....

In fact, there are even financial markets that specifically bet on future levels of the Fed Funds Rate (unsurprisingly called "Fed Funds Futures").These futures correlate very well with certain bond yields which, in turn, correlate very well with mortgage rate movement.

fellow NJ investor here, I've been looking on expanding my portfolio.. researched columbus for a couple of months, but couldn't find "great" deals, unless it was in class C or lower neighborhoods. 

not to be a debbie downer but I would not use my primary residence for a heloc and then invest out of state.. especially a C or D class property.. too much risk in my mind  also keep in mind Heloc's can be called or frozen thereby putting you in default and you wont know it until after the fact they are not fully amortized loans.

That is one of my worries of going into a class C or lower area.

Your deed of trust needs to be made by the trustee, or you didn't properly perfect the security interest, I'd bet on any attorney getting that right unless they were really new.Back to the other issue, any lender advertising a loan product and never closes that product can get nailed.

Assuming there is no C or S corp election in effect for the LLC, then real estate held in the LLC can receive a step up in basis just as real estate held outright can.

No one knows what the future will bring, so I would not make an all-or-nothing bet on refinancing in the next year or two.