If you are not already working with a realtor that is well versed in STR and knows ALL of the requirements for STR, do yourself a favor and reach out to @Josh Green.

So I am ok risking 5 to 10k on an assingment fee but huge fee's for the reasons I state no way.

If you can get your Vantage Score up 50 points, you will see positive results on the mortgage scores as well, it just may be 30 or 40 points or could be 60 to 80 point increase vs Vantage increase of 50 points. 

Companies know where they will be treated well and where they are not wanted.

I’ve done 1 rental property and sold it to gain capital and did 1 flip that didn’t go so well so not 100% experienced to say the least.

You would end up saving the higher interest rate on the HELOC as well as closing costs.

Well there is somethings right here and some are off mark IMHO.

With 20 years of experience managing 30+ long-term rentals, a few STRs, and running a property management company in Central Florida, I’ve learned both have their place in a portfolio if you diversify based on your risk tolerance and the timing for your goals.

Quote from @Michael Challenger: I have no qualms with hard money lending, but I need to learn more about the process and structure to these for typical deals so that I am more comfortable and in a position to reduce my personal risk and risk to investors as much as possible.

Perform this research by using the rent comp tool on BiggerPockets as well as FB marketplace, Zillow, Craigslist, etc Also for those 15% of units that are “at market”.