I've stuck with the tried and true reasons I've heard to keep my search ranking high (quality photos, stellar reviews, updates to my listing) and that helps but in slow season, when I'm not willing to cut my rates as much as some of my competitors, it can be a ghost town.  

Those things won't matter if your business crushes it. i feel like it would matter when those things add up and start tearing at ur profit If banking fees cut into your profit, your profit isn't big enough.

I have a question and would really appreciate your input.I’ve done a couple of fix-and-flip projects in the past using hard money lenders, but I’ve noticed that their fees and interest rates significantly cut into my profits.

SMS can supplement this strategy but shouldn't be relied on as a long-term strategy. 

Doing this would allow me to cut my down payments in half. 

This way, you can easily revisit details and pick up right where you left off.Avoid cutting corners to save money, as it often costs more in the end.

Supplement this far simpler entity approach by ensuring you have appropriate types and levels of insurance, you operate your business in a manner in which your conduct is not considered an exclusion in your policy, you work with licensed and insured vendors, you execute contracts with indemnification clauses with these same vendors/ require additional insured status &  maintain appropriate licensing and permits.

- Do you think it’s worth challenging the appraisal with Kiavi, or should I just cut my losses and move on?

Unfortunately, Uncle Sam always wants his cut ;)

If the cost of rehabbing it is more than it’s insured for, they’ll just cut me a check for what it’s insured for minus the $2,500 deductible.