I property manage for my own rentals and for clients and have never had an issue using this method. 

I would call around to as many lenders as you can and just find one that you feel is the best fit and communicates well with you.

Maybe communicating it more will help, but you cannot make people read.As a guest I would find making my own bed especially after a long drive or flight would be annoying. 

I'd love to hear from other investors who have used this method.

Have you received any communication from the sponsor?

The most interesting issues involve communication with subs.

How about the live communications pre- and mid-stay?

With the $38,000 from the HELOC, you can cover down payments, closing costs, or even some light renovations on a new property.One strategy you might consider is the BRRRR method (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat).This approach lets you leverage the equity in your current property without sacrificing your cash flow.

What do you want out of a GC:  Someone who has lots of quality sub connections, someone who doesn't soak you with their fee on top of Sub costs, someone who will be there to oversee manage the quality and speed of your project at least 3x per week and be in constant communication through calls and pictures. 

A significant challenge was managing the renovation process while ensuring minimal disruption to existing tenants, which required careful planning and communication.