Here are some facts about the deal:Purchase Price + Buyer Paid CC: $170,000Repairs: $30,000ARV: $250,000 or 80.0%Loan to Borrower: $200,000Promissory Note: 10% - 60 Day Minimum GuaranteeLien Position: 1st PositionPersonal Guarantee: YesReferences: Checked out, with strong history of successComps:  Spot on for the ARV target and homes are generally selling in 15 days or less priced on target.Advice from the community for a first time lender? 

Being able to afford the payments can be very tricky as the CC lender can move the interest rate up to very high levels after you have borrowed the funds.When you use the CC for the down payment, it is very likely the conventional lenders will decline to fund the secured loan.

I just got the first zillow CC/ BG check and it appeared to be fine.

Not knowing your income of savings rate, but I'm guessing that if you throw this 15k into an investment you are going to be years away from paying off this CC debt. 

I figure I could alternatively give the contractor my credit card information so they could maybe punch the numbers into a "Square" or other CC processing software if they have it.

VRBO fees are much higher (5% commission + 3% cc fee vs.

Now that I think of it, it's kind is silly that in have cc with over 25k line yet they only gave me 5k each so now with lower utilization they may consider increasing it?!!

It is a C, C- area in my opinion.  

I would assume it's not a good strategy because DTI is one thing but your utilization rate on your credit will also sky rocket if you use CC and small LOC to fund your deals, which in turn, will destroy your credit score. 

Your agent may have to have a conversation with the seller to find middle ground on delaying closing, which may be something like a larger EMD, less cc etc. to make it worth their while.If all else fails, you may break contract and have to walk away.