The $200 you spend will help with your learning curve which you do not want to get from the CPA at $350/hr.

NEVER borrow from a 401K, you are taking pre-taxed dollars and paying it back with after tax dollars, you do not get to return the loan with pre taxed dollars, in addition, some 401K plans do charge interest and maybe even fees, and lastly if you get laid off for some reason, it is a distribution with all the "fun consequences: tax at the last dollar rate, and if you are under 59.5 there is also the additional 10% penalty.Personally I like the HELOC, however you can also sell stocks and do tax harvesting there to offset gains if that is an option

Based on the questions you are asking I think you need to spend more time listening to podcasts like Bigger Pockets and Bigger Pockets Rookie.

They will have additional costs for mailing & online campaigns to get leads.

You need to remember that, hopefully, this is a long-term play for you, so work with a trusted STR designer (I have great recommendations), and spend the money upfront so you can be the most successful in your area.

So you have some great resources right off the bat, my additional Referrals would be too many :)

Purchasing the LLC gives you ownership of the property, but it also opens you up to additional legal exposure since the entity has been active, and there is no way to really know for sure what else they used the LLC for.

In addition to refinancing, DSCR loans, and cash-out options, we now provide our services for all property types, not just those from NetWorth.

As you grow your portfolio, they can help you secure additional funding, refinance existing loans, and adapt to changing market conditions.Financing doesn’t have to be a roadblock to your real estate dreams.

So, many people choose to operate in their own personal name but buy an additional umbrella policy to protect themselves from liability.