HELOC's are a tool and can be VERY beneficial.

I don't pay for tools, supplies (of the trade), food or drinks... 

I also explained I was using it as a tool to invest.

I get what you and others have said about SEO tools, and it sounds like a great concept for wholesalers or investers with large porfolio's, but I do worry that for me, with such a small niche market and with so few properties that fit our criteria, I'd be spinning my wheels a little if I tried to do lead gen that way.

I am using my newfound access to the MLS as a tool to source good deals and make educated and sound investment decisions.

If you're lucky enough to find an interested seller, you will need to have the tools to quickly analyze the deal, understand if the sellers motivation to sell, pain points if any, and genuinely see if you can provide them with a quick exit strategy.

There wouldn't be a deal without YOU.You can pull lists from batch leads, list source, propstream, deal machine, tons of sources it's up to you to figure out what tools you need & for what price.Get after it!

This will consolidate a lot of the real estate teams & agents, you'll see some systematic models and approaches being created like ala carte online tools that you pay as you go with it for a buyer.

It will answer your questions and give you the tools necessary to be successful.

.* And for low performing properties one of the features i really like is you can make a change to your listing - lets say update the property description, log it, then see if this makes any chances in your placement.I'm not affiliated with them but think its a great tool to turn around poor performing properties - assuming the STR is competitive compared to your competition.I agree with Henry that you can probably do better self-managing IF you have the time and appetite for dealing with guests and learning the dos and don't....Heres is the turnaround of one of our Floridas STR that was lagging - now back to near the top on the first page.