We bought it for $225k with a 3.125% mortgage and 1) are interested in keeping it as our first rental. 2) We are thinking about using some of the equity (maybe $50k or less as a HELOC to combine with existing cash for our next home down payment that we can convert to a HELOAN through our credit union).

In light of this, would lenders see me as a higher risk if I have a history of paying off mortgages early? 

I called Home Depot, they told me to dispute the credit card charges so I did.  

I have taken all my taxes and insurance out of escrow, and I run them through credit cards to rack up points, so I pay a lot of bills every year.3.

Also remember just because a loan may qualify as being assumable the lender will go through a thorough underwriting process to confirm you meet eligibility for the loan.I have seen a guru teaching people with poor credit to go after these types of loans and it’s unfortunate as many would most likely not qualify.

Verifying last 2 years of rental history very important!

Most of my clients run their SFRs at a 25%-30% (excluding vacancy/credit loss) operating expense margin and most of the banks I deal with on their DSCR loans underwrite using 35%.

Check with a few local credit unions as they usually have the best HELOC offerings.

Verifying last 2 years of rental history very important!

A person could be 1 week out of prison for murder and no, your not in the clear to discriminate against them as a potential buyer for an open market home sale.There is a lot of history with various discrimination in access to housing to various persons of assorted minority classes, not just on race but a whole assortment and in this day n age there is no shortage of attorneys and advocacy groups happy to sue.