I'm in round rock

If it's going to be a bonus space for your rental, or you want to keep a very unique and vintage vibe going, and it's not operational (say it's a gas fireplace and you cut off the gas to it) then it could stay.

They charge a (hefty) up-front fee, but they guarantee three rounds of financing over 12 months.

More than anything I would like to see some form of upside so I don't particularly have to underwrite for appreciation, it's almost a bonus.  

I'd recommend speaking with local specialists in your target market to look at multiple investment options side-to-side.Lastly, some of my clients have been encouraged to stay away from HELOCs unless they expect a lump sum (inheritance, sale of other asset, bonus, etc.) to pay off the HELOC in the next year or 2. 

Yes they are a nice bonus, but you could find yourself on the end of a lawsuit due to a guest getting injured or even killed.

The best strategy is to focus on properties that cash flow at today’s rates and consider a refinance down the line as a bonus rather than a necessity.

It's a good market with year-round demand that peaks in both winter (ski season) and summer (beach / lake / hiking / etc) season. 

If you live there 2 years or more before selling you will be exempt from tax on the 1st $250k in profit which is a nice bonus. 

You are sum total of the people you surround yourself with.I am a Tardus paying client, none of us that recently posted get any sort of kickback or referral fee for talking about our experiences on BP (although I do believe there is a referral bonus if you refer a new client...but it is nominal enough that no one is trying to bring in new members soley for this bonus).