Speak to everyone.You might investigate a wholesale line of credit if you are doing enough volume.

Demand for February/March move-ins should see a notable uptick sometime in January, but you'll for sure see your strongest rental demand in late spring/summer.Your most recent post mentioned that you were going to look for someone for a 6-month lease - I think this is a great way to approach it to minimize vacancy loss while biding your time until we get into the higher demand summer months.Getting creative with your lease term and credits/concessions could also be a good way to solve a few potential problems in one shot. 

Double taxation would be when you have to pay US income tax and then also Canada income tax and you don't receive a credit for your US income taxes.

I would give Prime Tracers a shot, they are pay as you go and you also get 100 free credits on sign up to try them out. 

You might want to check with local credit unions or community banks, as they’re often more flexible with second mortgages. 

Does anyone utilize a line of credit as an emergency fund?

Generally, the properties that benefit the most from a cost segregation study are properties that are remodeled, expanded, purchased or constructed after 1987, the year in which the Investment Tax Credit was enacted.

and how well my credit score will be?

Also,  make sure your turn over costs account for the smoke damage.

If forced to cure - and it will be a condition of remedy - the tenant can take action against you for damages from leasing an illegal property.