However, unless you're doing this as part of a BRRRR strategy, you may end up paying closing costs twice and incurring unnecessary interest on the HELOC prior to refinancing.Additionally, conventional loans often have seasoning requirements of 6-12 months, while DSCR loans typically require only 3-6 months.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

Just seems like unnecessary work.  

I believe the competitors are more expensive with unnecessary features.

There isn't enough information in here about the current state of the house to be able to advise you, but I would think #3 is a definite no as it seems unnecessary from a cost perspective although that market has scale to accept it.

I'm getting up there in age and feel like I'm getting a late start, so I'm looking to avoid any unnecessary steps along the way.

Is that process too complicated, yes, but there is nothing in this decision that will prevent a tax sale purchaser in MD from reselling at a profit after obtaining the property by foreclosing the right of redemption.

Also, with the advent of the likes of ChatGPT, they' might become obsolete and unnecessary.

The best thing you can do to prevent future foundation issues is installing gutters around the property to repel away from the foundation.

Quote from @Fernando Martin-Gullans: Hey y’all, I’m a retail investor with 2 SFH rentals worth a combined ~$650k looking to utilize some of my stored equity to buy more out-of-state properties, but I’m not quite sure how best to proceed given that my interest rates are incredibly low (leaning me away from refinancing) and neither property is owner-occupied (which I believe prevents me from using a HELOC).

This can be costly for your property manager, and you may have to pay for their insurance policy, which can add unnecessary expenses to your budget.It strengthens your relationship with your property manager.Adding your property manager as an additional insured is a gesture of good faith that shows you are committed to protecting their interests.