You can proceed with a cash out or rate and term refi up to 65-75% LTV depending what product and terms you choose.

Most productive leasing platforms?

The products they sell are almost always counterfeits or not as described and the land they sell/finance are worthless.

If it's a matter of a quarter point but the more expensive debt is with a bank that offers better other terms like amortization and LTV, and they have a rock star loan officer, I'd go with the slightly higher interest rate product.2.)

They may have economy of scale but the consistency of delivered product is not always there. 

Risk of future inflation, and projections of gross domestic product.

Welcome to the forum @Chris Primavera.Seeing as you are brand new today, it would be good for you to search on the forum for those areas and read everything there is about those markets.Grab @Avery Carls book Short Term Rentals Long Term Wealth and read it. https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/short-term-rental-l...It is chock full of info that you need.

Products & Services enable us to track each 'phase' of the rehab.

I personally think sevier county is one of the best areas in the country to invest in both now (if you pick the right product) and especially long term.

no argument from me.. but I think they do that to legitimize the company/loan product.