Know and understand what a closing statement basically is.. and who the true principals are in the transaction.. 

Definitely recommend the seller financed buydown as if you refinance whatever the remaining balance from the buydown is can be used to pay down the principal balance of your loan. 

So yes no capital gains tax, and didn't put any extra principal payment.

The note investor who thought interest is paid on the original principal rather than the unpaid principal balance.  

So I’m trying to see if I take that equity off the table and re-invest the sale proceeds in another market across more doors where we’ll see better appreciation, OR if we continue keeping it as a rental and work on principal pay down even though the rental price has been coming down and the home is not the easiest to fill because of the above average price for the C- to B neighborhood.Ultimately, my stated goal has been to build appreciation (over cash flow) by acquiring 1-4 doors per year for the next 10 years to allow my wife to retire (or be work optional) by the time she's 50.

Doing this will give you a lower interest rate, which is why I prefer it to getting a longer amortization and paying extra on the principal.

I've included an example below to help illustrate this.So different lenders have different rates (which do vary even for DSCR loans) but these are factors they all consider.See example below:DSCR < 1Principal + Interest = $1,700Taxes = $350, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $50Total PITIA = $2200Rent = $2000DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2000/2200 = 0.91Since the DSCR is 0.91, we know the expenses are greater than the income of the property.DSCR >1Principal + Interest = $1,500Taxes = $250, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $25Total PITIA = $1875 Rent = $2300DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2300/1875 = 1.23If a purchase, you also generally need reserves / savings to show you have 3-6 month payments of PITIA (principal / interest (mortgage payment), property taxes and insurance and HOA (if applicable).

My question is "for anyone with this particular experience" Is it a far fetched idea to do a cash out refi on house "A" to payoff some personal debt and large payment on house "B" to knock down the principal?

Annual return is 12% and you get your principal back after 3 years I believe. 

I'm interested in everyone's opinions on using a HELOC to purchase turn-key rentals for the short term and covering principal paydown across all new mortgages / loans ( HELOC ) through excess income.