Finally decided to pull the trigger! 

The loan doesn't decide its lien position the order in which voluntary liens (mortgages) are files determine that. 2.

I owner occupy the home, renting a room to a friend at $650/mo, and the lower unit rents for $1850/mo - total rental income of $2500/mo.

Trying to decide if it’s better to take a heloc and keep my rate or just refi. 

It's up to you to decide what "Hard" you are going to choose. yes I definitely see that I'm going to have to make some difficult decisions, just not sure what I'm willing to sacrifice.

If these groups are significant, it suggests there’s pent-up demand that could enter the market when one of two things happen:Rates Drop - Rates fall to levels that allow more buyers to qualify for the homes they want.Buyer Expectations Shift - Buyers realize that 5% rates aren’t coming back soon and decide to move forward.Based on the increase in activity I saw in Sept and Oct in my business, when rates hit low 6s, I'd say my market has plenty of pent-up demand. 

If so you may have some full doc options which have the best rates typically and terms.Like others have mentioned you have DSCR loans too but this only allows you to purchase non owner occupied properties (not primary residence or second home occupancy type properties).

I would actually really like to see the owner/partner Marco Santarelli post here to clear any of this stuff up as I had considered investing with Norada at one point as well.

Were you bidding on the property knowing that the owners were deceased, or it just happened to work out that way?

Hello Aaron, There are conventional loans available to owner occupiers for shipping container homes.