Hi Kate,I can't really help you with the insurance question but thought I'd pipe in on the possible rooming house purchase.

Others may keep your number for later and then there are those too that will call you an ambulance chaser or scream and yell at your through the phone.

You might get a screaming deal, there.

Put up comps that are physically close to the property that prove your ARV.  3 in the last 3 months in a minimum.Fire damage screams expensive rehab to me.  

I have had sellers walk out of the room screaming at me, I have been asked to leave and quit wasting their time, you name it.  

If you can't get all the money from the HELOC, you can always turn to a hard money lender if it is a screaming deal.I can give you a couple of recommendations for lenders if you want to message meGino

We don't scream bloody murder at Maersk shipping because they charged 12% of the cost of the product to ship it from China to the USA.What we see through this thread is you don't feel the mark up of 100% is fair, and perhaps in your view it is also of a nefarious nature.

Keep your powder dry and wait for other investors to scream in pain. 

If it's a screaming deal, then maybe.

When you feel great about a screaming deal pull the trigger!!!