Heavily vetting tenants will help avoid evictions, difficulties, etc.Utility costs will be driven by the property and how it is configured. 

I also configured both to only pay me when the renter checks in so that I don’t have to worry about managing refunds if someone cancels.So...then how do you handle it for the small number of times someone contacts you directly to rent, or decides to stay an extra day after they are there...those transactions that aren’t captured by the channels?  

So are you re-configuring the space to make it a 4-plex or are you building onto it?

What are the finishes and configurations?

Once the painting is farther along I will post pictures, but below is a picture of how this paint configuration looked in a prior project.Also, the boat and trailer that was in the driveway at the property has been removed.

So, that is why they are looking to re-configure the HELOC because it is a wasted $700-800/mo in interest just going to that.

What it really means is you choose investments rather than having the account managed by an advisor or limited to a choice of 4-10 funds.What you are likely seeing is "you choose which stocks".A truly self-directed plan as often discussed here on BiggerPockets means not only that you choose, but also that the plan is configured for investing in anything the IRS rules allow. 

Residential is the problem...Most credit unions finance rental properties - regardless of configuration - as commercial ...    

I need some advice, please.I’m new to REI, so I’m having some difficulty configuring a deal.

I plan on spending every moment of free time studying the subject until I've configured my process, team, and legal docs.