We have had everything from seasonal workers, to relocating families, local area displacements (floods, pipe damages, etc.), visiting families and all that.

The way to utilize the HELOC funds is draw on the HELOC at least two months prior to buying so the funds have seasoned for 60 days. 

I'm also curious how consistent the market is or if it's mostly seasonal / event driven.  

I would always specify that is primarily not "solely" based on the property - Credit and liquid reserves are still a significant part of the underwrite Ofcourse credit and technically with commercial DSCR there are no reserves required but yes as minimum as 3 months :) upto 80% cashout with no seasoning too which is wild . 

If you're at a loss and paying off the shortage still puts you at a loss I think your best bet is selling, or seeing how you can get more income from current rents by making it mid term/seasonal or an air bnb. 

Hi Hannah, CPAs can provide ongoing support and guidance throughout the year, not just during tax season.

If you are using battery powered you have to change codes often (one code for showing - should be deleted after showing season, one code for tenant that needs to be changed after each tenant) and you need to replace the batteries every time it goes vacant so that you don't end up with a tenant dead battery and a tenant locked out.

Would love to get seasoned investors' advice on how they would solve this investment/tax challenge: I am about to transfer 300k from a retirement vehicle so that I can use the money to retire early.

In the Mountain market it is property dependant and seasonal dependant.

Then tell the agent to run comps for ARV based on updates you do.And you also said you can't afford to lose $20-30k, the most seasoned flippers/investors lose money all the time, and ultimately that is part of your education costs, hopefully you don't make any costly mistakes, but you have to run your numbers well enough to make sure there is some 'ooops' fund to help shield you from that.As for comps, typically, appraisers want them to be in the same neighborhood, within 15% same square footage, same # beds/baths and age.