Some lenders would like to see a 780 or above and others have best pricing for 740 or 760 or above.

Looks like you have a ton of experience and will be a good asset to this group! 

But if you want to maximize your deductions now or plan to sell the property soon, then using it now could be better.Also, if you or your spouse qualify as a Real Estate Professional for tax purposes, the losses could offset other income, like your W-2 salary.

It's very likely they saw the inside condition of the unit before you purchased it and they have the right to inspect.

These small towns are a niche market like investing in STR or trailer parks.

I like the idea of using a HELOC for value add projects where you can refi in 12 months to pay back your HELOC.

But there are sellers out there ( like me ) that will tell you no . 

Quote from @Josh Jung: surprised you haven't heard of RBP. it's like a mix of services you can offer to your tenants like renters insurance, virtual concierge, etc So the property manager/landlord pays for their renters insurance, and filters?  

Looking forward to networking and connecting with like-minded investors.

Using a Whole Life Insurance (WLI) loan avoids banks but accrues interest, potentially reducing policy benefits—compare this with other financing options like HELOC or seller financing.