I’d love to hear from others who have successfully raised funds for similar ventures and any advice on structuring such a deal.

Was going for the best cost-of funds (lower rate)

In my day job I do SEO for a digital marketing agency and I am more than happy to talk SEO with anyone who has questions.I'm interested in Long-term rentals, though admittedly, finding deals below market value and funding those deals (not to mention I honestly have no idea have to put the deals under contract in the first place), are problem the first things I'll need to learn.

I, like you, am a managing partner of a holding company, but unlike you, we are heavy into the real estate space.

I've had 14 SF rentals in 6 different states, using 6 different management companies. 

We'd love to have you interview with us at Keller Williams.While I don't think any brokerage publishes numbers, I think we likely have more investor agents than any other company. 

Board collected those funds and put them in Operating instead of Reserves.

Does anyone have a company they recommend for HELOCs?

The macroeconomics are on fire here - population growth, job growth, and companies moving and developing here.

You want to work with private money, not residential mortgage companies for investment properties.