Bank financing is very tough for anyone starting out so HML is generally ( unless you use your own cash or cash in your network) the only funding there is.. the goal has to be though moving towards bank financing so you get the best deal possible.. right now I am at 1/2 point and 7% and my bank pays for my appraisals.

People have to remember that the seller finance space fills the gaps that the banks leave behind. 

I’d never had more than $2,000 in my bank account up until this point.

Does the bank let you get 2.5 months late on your mortgage payments?

We are not too strapped for cash, but it always seems better to have more in the bank than less.

If it's worth that much, taking a HELOC on it should not be an issue at all long-term or short-term as long as the bank will do it.

It mostly means you don't want to deal with banks initially. 

My bank account is connected to Stessa to eliminate the need for me to manually track income, expenses etc. 

As I said, check with local banks and credit unions.

At this point, I would recommend having a line of credit to cover these things so you don't have money sitting in the bank doing nothing when it could be put to work.I have 33 units, no debt except for mortgages, and excellent income.