If you'd like a specific recommendation with referral code, let me know.

Staged homes tend to sell faster because they help buyers envision living there. 

@Wayne Kennoff- thanks   1) getting a personal referral is a good place to start 2) if you have narrowed down the options to a few -  contact both on the same  days and ask them for whatever  quotes  for your scenario ...ask for a loan cost worksheet  if  possible .  ...if their pricing ends up being  the same - make a decsion based on the  feel  for  cutoner  service you get when communicating with them.   3)  make sure they  disclose all the fees  related to the  refinance  ( not just their  own fees ) ..4)  reviews are   hard to  use to make a decision ( as you found out ) 5) rates are pretty high right now for rental  properties ....if you can wait to  refinance - you might consider doing so ...if you need to refinance - so be it ...Good luck 

If anyone has a referral, we'd be so grateful, though I realize it's a big ask to offer someone wonderful out to strangers!

i hate to say this, but i tend to agree with william p., there is nothing wrong with beautifying war-zone areas but just know that you have to be aware of the element that you will be surrounded by, keep the candle burning bright because you may have to spend a couple nights in the property to keep it from being rampaged, i haven't step into this arena, i prefer to go where the houses are selling, in neighborhoods that i know i wouldn't be afraid to live, but to each his own, if you can get a line of credit opened and then from there look into getting a mentor or someone who has done this before if you want to build your portfolio, it wont be easy but nothing is life worth anything is, do you duty and due diliegence and you should be alright, let me know if i can help keep posting but most of all keep sharing

We reach out to them when cost authorization is required, monthly with their statement, and are available to talk if they wish.We tend to drop client-owners who want to micromanage us.

Perhaps instead consider using private money, doing the reno as quickly as possible, and then using a DSCR or conventional refi to pay off the private money.I tend to agree with @Drew Sygit and @Nathan Gesner that tapping the equity of your primary, especially with something variable and unpredictable like a HELOC, is not a good idea, but with one exception.

Happy to help with great referrals in the Cleveland / Akron market to help build out your team if you need any suggestions!

They want more online leads, but I'm quickly learning their bigger issue is outbound sales & marketing, i.e. understanding who their customers (and referral partners) are and engaging them meaningfully.I've been lurking on BP and researching their build areas and it seems like their primary clients are developers and investors, not individuals building their dream vacation home (though they are part of the mix).Their value prop is dollar efficiency and speed.

Ultimately, I thought perhaps folks may have worked with a specific attorney that specializes in this sort of scenario, much like many of us share referrals for professionals that support the highly specialized needs of investors.