Hey,Absolutely, lenders are often open to chatting early on, even if you haven’t nailed down the properties yet.

@David Dachtera nailed it.  

Jackson nailed the answer to your first question.A HELOC is a line of credit using real estate as collateral.A credit card is a line using your credit as collateral (nothing).A business line of credit uses your business as collateral.A "PAL" or pledged asset line is a line of credit that uses your investments as collateral.Etc.All of them share in common that they are a line of credit; you draw what you need and only pay interest on what you use.Traditionally, lines of credit that have collateral are going to have much lower interest rates than those that don't, like credit cards, because in the event of default there is nothing to seize.

Its really going to depend on what type of loan / what type of property you are seeking - do you have that nailed down yet at this point?

I think a lot of the problems you cite can be fixed or at least improved by this - ability to nail it down to better dial in on the searchers you are looking forThe above categories are confusing and have a lot of overlap and there are much better ways to do it, but I will leave it to the imagination as to why no action here has been taken..

Method #1: Connecting with local investor-friendly agents in your market [who] have systems in place for finding off-market dealsMethod #2: The "wholesaler list" method, where you find every wholesaler in your market and get on their mailing listMethod #3:  Pulling addresses, names & numbers...and reaching out to "tired landlords" who have built up significant amounts of equity, [who are] open to dealing with buyers directlyHi Conrado,Nadeem hit the nail on the head!! 

Talk with the Nail Salon people for ideas. 

You could also ask what their terms are regarding LTV and things like that to nail down the reason they are saying you cannot get a first position HELOC. 

Sorry it took so long for me to respond but I think they nailed down most of the reasons already.

I think @Jeremy Ellis also hit the nail on the head because it’s very important to figure out if that property fits within your current goals and strategy.