It’s not rocket science but it’s definitely something that takes experience and skin in the game! 

So the heloc difficulty may be because its not a primary home. but im sure you can find a lender for a heloc.have you tried a DSCR because that way you can keep it in your LLC?

***You'd want to make it worthwhile to foreclose and also be safe***If someone is an A Paper borrower just needing to close fast, some of my investors will go 75 LTV.You can also always feel more comfortable on a purchase rather than a refi, as people are bringing skin into the game, not trying to exit.

Currently looking in New Britain and having difficulty finding properties.

The object of real estate investors is to help people through financial difficulties, not create bigger ones. 

I think that your assessment is very helpful and it is true that I am trying to offset costs and cut my commute.I have also had reservations about a flip/brrr because of the difficulty of finding a builder for my team.  

But they can't come to part with it and don't really trust handing it off to some PM to run it for STR that doesn't have "skin in the game". 

One of the side benefits is that the tenants now have skin in the game so to speak, and my gas bills have gone down a bit.What kind of heating system do you have in your property?

I put $2000 down to have skin in the game.

Maybe the contractor buys everyone on the jobsite In and Out on your card because of the difficulty?