In working on construction loan financing, the lender informed me I'll need to unencumber that portion of the property (makes sense) before closing on the construction loan.I understand there to be two methods generally speaking: refinancing my mortgage and removing that portion of the property in the process OR attaining a partial release from the lender to remove that land.I *strongly* want to avoid refinancing as I have an amazing rate, but partial releases seem complex and also require a survey.

Patience can be your best friend and if you attempt to over leverage a property it can come back to hurt you.Some will recommend buying subject 2 where you could take over an existing mortgage that could be at a substantially lower rate - but if the lender finds out and calls the loan that could also be very bad.

I will likely buy with cash and not hold a mortgage. 

If you only plan on owning 2-4 properties, then there's really no harm in self-funding them unless you know a better, safer way to make more than the going interest rate on that money (most investment mortgages right now are about 7%, maybe effectively 5.5-6% after taxes depending on your brackets and tax structure).

30 yr mortgage with VA How did you add value to the deal?

I assume the sellers are offering seller financing since obtaining a traditional mortgage or refinancing to one after 7 years for this property is highly unlikely.

Also you would not reduce the price because of the interest payment. that is not how it works.3. yes the note could be sold, but at what type of discount and what if the borrower stopped paying.while there are a lot of posts on seller financing, some estimiate less than 1% of all transaction have seller financing and the ones that do are first position only with an average of 30% down payment - most of these are to people who do not have verifiable income.Thinking you will get conventional financing then seller financing will be uphill battle as the conventional lender most likely will not approve a 2nd mortgage for purchase.not trying to dissuade you, just wanted to provide some key insights so you do not spend 1000 hours chasing something that is impossible to find.

It’s given me the opportunity to save and prepare for my next upcoming purchase.I’ve gotten the units from $750x2 and $800x2 to a consistent $900. current mortgage is $2500 monthly, refinancing to a conventional and removing mortgage insurance should bring me to $2100. 

I run sum numbers for you please see comments below before refinancing and post refinancing .If I were in your position, I would approach it as follows:Initial Investment Assumptions: Market Value: $360,000 Purchase Price: $360,000 Equity: $0,000Financial Breakdown: Hard Money Loan (LTV 100%): $360,000 Interest Rate: 10% (30-Year Amortization) Monthly Payment: $1,995Upfront Costs: Origination fee (1%): $3,600 Closing Costs (3%): $10,800 Renovation Costs: $10,000 2 Month of Carrying Costs During Renovation: $5,390Total Upfront Required: $29,790Total Capital InvestmentPurchased price $360,000 Upfront Costs $29,790Total: $389,790To make this investment work, you need to rent the whole property for at least $3,165/month, refinance it let say after one year with 5% interest with a traditional mortgage.Year One Rent: Monthly Rent Income: $3,165 Monthly Rent Losses during renovations (2 Months): -$6,330 (-$527/month distributed over 12 months) Total Rent Income: $31,650 per year => $ 2,638 per monthMonthly Expenses: Hard Money Loan Payment (10% Interest): $1,995 / per month interest only Property Tax (Assuming $3,000/year): $250 per month Property Insurance (Assumption): $100 per month Utilities (Hydro, Gas, Water): $292 per month Assuming 0% Vacancy first year Assuming 0 % Repairs & Maintenance first year because unit has been recently renovated Total Monthly Expenses: $2,637Monthly Net Cash Flow: $1Post-Renovation Refinancing Strategy:So far, we’ve purchased the property, completed renovations, and rented it out.Next, you can approach the bank for a refinance to consolidate your initial investment of $29,790 plus your 360k debt into a mortgage.

I am not aware of any local banks that offer a HELOC in FL however you can do a DSCR standalone 2nd mortgage up to 75% CLTV on Condos.