If the second property you are buying is not turnkey, will require some work, and there is a clear value/range of what you can bring the property to by adding value then you can refinance to pay back the majority if not all of your HELOC (used for downpayment or to buy the property completely).You'll need to know how to analyze an after repair value of the property to figure out if that technique can work or not.

Like others have said, you don't need an LLC to get started with STRs.If you own a single unit or even 2 or 3, simply make sure you have the best insurance to cover any issues as well as an umbrella that can cover any excesses.Plus the major key will be maintenance.

For example, let's say there was a major development on rent control, that would allow me to pivot and understand next steps.

I think one of the major issues is W valley basically only has Pinot .. compared to Napa Sonoma were virtually all varietals are grown and bottled. 

DSCR sitting mid 6s today in the majority of scenarios. 

Case in point, in 2017-2019 while facing a severe housing shortage, Minneapolis enacted its 2040 Plan, becoming, “the first major U.S. city to end single-family exclusive zoning, opening the door for developers to build multifamily buildings on lots where a single-family home used to be (NBC).”

I'm also making the assumption (which i would have inspected) that no "major" structural repair is required.Home ListingBP Fix & Flip ReportRehab Estimate Report

This is for major storms or imminent domain type events.

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

And I would have highly recommended them up until September of last year when their company went through a major restructure.