If the investor is using a HML, offering a second position may be challenging as most lenders prefer to be the sole lien holders.

Yes, we call the employer directly using a number found online, not the one provided by the applicant, and we verify their employment and pay rate.

I paid cash using a HELOC on my personal residence.

Jennifer, Just to make sure I'm following you, this is just a template you are using as a guide to decide on offers and what properties to pursue, correct?

if your brand new using a trusted agent in my mind is the way to go.off market properties are full of wholesalers who have zero fiduciary to you.. most will puff ARV and rehab estimates are WAAAY off to make the deal look good.. they will not give you a property disclosure form that the seller needs to fill out etc etc. 

I would only recommend using a commercial bank with a construction loan. 

I'm not entirely sure what your CPA is using as their thought process.

Consider using a VA loan. 

Note: I am not interested at all in using a retirement plan to BUY more properties...just to put money into it a tax-advantaged way and then using that money to buy stocks/ETFs.Thanks!

They don't want people buying property and using a primary or second home mortgage when the use is investment or business - that's loan fraud and tax fraud at the same time.