It has been my experience that if someone is up to something they will try and do it with no skin in the game.  

"skin in the game").$19k isn't a TON of money.

I have been trying to gain access to a HELOC, but am having difficulties because I am just outside the DTI requirements.  :(  That is my plan though!

However, if you put your property in an LLC, you might have difficulty in finding a traditional lender that will let you do a cash out (some community banks will still let you do it).  

The small amount of "skin in the game" required by the borrower can usually be made from multiple sources (2nd position gap lenders/private lenders, seller carry back, cross collateral, personal capital, etc).

I just  don't buy "how to skin the seller".Just saying, you might be able to  climb this hill, but few others will likely be able to regardless of what class they take or who gives short instruction, it's much more complicated than meets the eye.

However, I will put some skin in the game.

I've spoken to a couple mortgage brokers before finding BP (not ones familiar with REI) who have said that the difficulty is having the income to qualify for both loans.

Has anyone had difficulty getting a refund from rentalsoftware.com?

Depends on how you are financing, but you shouldn't have much difficulty.