There are exceptions - some properties are set up such that installing a few electric baseboard heaters might be possible to save on the gas bill - but i would still just shy away if not metered separately at the outset.  10) do shop for a lender and compare (usually pretty standard but there can be some fluctuation) - dont fall for the ones that sound too good to be true - there are gimmicks out there - big bank or reputable broker should do you fine.  

Specifically, I’m drawn to distressed properties, such as pre-foreclosures and foreclosures, because of their potential for strong returns and lower acquisition costs which I feel is a great combination for a new investor with my budget.That said, entering the U.S. market as a Canadian comes with its own set of challenges, and I want to make sure I’m approaching this the right way.

Remington, I own properties in Athens and while the data/statistics/analytics might look great - there are many challenges with actual operations. 

The higher the risk the better the return...and at some point you have to watch out for "too good to be true."

Commercial PML will do the same, they'll have the credit and b.g. inquiry.You mean a true Private Individual with capital for lending? 

Not always true, however typically HELOCs will go to a max loan to value ratio of 85, sometimes 90%.

But 3) Try multifamily specific brokers, crexi and loopnet, although 2-4 units maybe scarce. 4) A home equity line of credit is a good source of funds however it will generally make your overall monthly payments higher, so unless a deal is very solidly cashflowing, a HELOC may put you into negative cashflow. 7) Typically electric/gas are paid by the tenant - however this isn't true across the board. 

My challenge is that the equity is siloed in a high number of properties which complicates our ability to draw against it and leverage that for operational and investment purposes.Do you all know of banks willing to work with investors and able to underwrite at the portfolio level, rather than having to apply for and open HELOCs on a per-property basis?

Challenges?

A good broker remains transparent throughout the process, providing regular updates on loan applications, lender responses, and any emerging challenges.