It's easy to pay the premium, less easy to get claims paid in many cases.

Has your agent accessed the PCR within Hudhomestore to see if activating all utilities is even possible? 

If you own either of the properties free and clear and don't need to access all of the equity to make the next purchase happen, that would be ideal.

He paid for common area access, built a bed in his Land Cruiser, pocketed the rent but we had agreement on what the pocketed money could be spent on (seeing we were paying the rent). 

You’ll be able to access more equity in your primary vs a rental property, and the rate will be higher.

Just speak to your broker about it and they should be able to give you some easy solutions.

People talk about it like it's standard and easy to do but you do not want to find out after you've sold the other property that it isn't possible so just proceed with caution.

But it hasn't been easy to figure it out so far. 

If the residence is inside a gated subdivision or a controlled-access buildingthat is governed by an owner’s association, a letter from the association acknowledging the use and grantingaccess to occupants of the rental unit will be required as part of the application.A short-term residential rental requires a Conditional Use Verification (CUV).A short-term rental use is unavailable and prohibited within a residential unit or a room within a residentialunit that is located in an apartment building.

I often have heard excuses of "oh it's easy for them/you because you have...." when truth is it's these disciplines that got us to where we are, not the other way around.