What I’m trying to get at is this: are there ways to provide brokerage services to principals with the same or greater value as best traditional practices for far lower cost?

Price points are low when acquiring real estate but that also comes with lower rental market values for your units so it pretty much evens itself out.With that, if you are going to buy in Reading I advise you strongly consider managing your own properties.

Not sure, from what you're writing, what the benefit to the borrower was in refinancing, but there had to be something; cash out and lower rate are two that come to mind. 

The insured appealed and the appeals court agree with the insured and reversed the lower court's decision.I handled a similar title claim where the complaint alleged among other things, the insured knew or should have known about the Plaintiff's prior contract and therefore the deed into my insured should be rescinded. 

The price of homes may be lower out of state but the down payment becomes much more plus the cost of having boots on the ground

Most of the Flippers want to be around 75% of ARV minus repair cost or lower.

The more money you save, the lower your monthly payment because the more you can put down.This is really great advice....some of the best. 

There are currently tenants on a month to month in the upper and lower.

@Kwok Wong With limited exceptions its customarily the lower tier neighborhoods that present both BRRRR and cash flow.

Refinancing next year would likely allow you to lock in a potentially lower rate than the 8% you're currently at, especially if the market conditions continue to favor lower rates.Avoid Duplicate Fees: You're right in thinking about avoiding duplicate fees for the refinance and HELOC.