We don't have the Midwest weather, high property tax, old homes, high insurance, high maintenance, or state income tax.

They weren't able to finish all aspects of the job due to weather and they still wanted their balance. 

Many of their sites have materials missing or have unfinished work with materials being exposed to weather past acceptable time spans.

We are attempting to get an eviction date, but could not pass a lead paint inspection because the weather is so cold in Cleveland that the paint will not dry.

I know weather played a factor, that’s understandable.

Bottom line is 3% interest on $XXX is the same weather its in a HELOC or a 30 yr fixed.  

.: @James Wisecan we add - be willing to be in it for 5-10-15+ years to weather those early storms?

it typically takes 5-10-15 years to stabilize a property, get a good tenant in, and actually generate net cash flow, especially with prices and interest rates so high.if you're in it for the long term, and willing to weather some early storms, great. 

The 10 year is going to continue to create resistance in the mortgage/cre field.

If you and your family are willing to house hack and use either an FHA 203k or homestyle renovation loan, the path of least resistance with the lowest risk, in my opinion.If you didn't want to house hack you could try a live-in-flip with those same loan programs!