Though I've had a lot of doors shut and people hanging up from cold calls, it's helped refine the way I approach people.

Truthfully though, I would do a cash out refinance for a large sum of money on my primary residence to ensure I do get a better rate. 

@Jermaine Washington Jaycee did a great job breaking down cash-out refinances.

They recommend owners to refinance it as a normal house (4 bed 2 bath).

The only way to bypass this requirement legally is to refinance into a conventional mortgage.

They'll also be experienced in the vetting process which can be a huge help down the line.Once you have the tenants covered then you can refinance into a DSCR loan.

I am pricing out 75%-80% with other lenders at better rates Do the lenders you use require a lease to be in place before the refinance on the DSCR 30 year product?

Start with your primary, rent out any spare bedrooms "house hack"Use that to practice upgrades, kitchen, bathroom, curb appeal... etcNow you have experience as a landlord and flipper, use that to buy a distressed propertyAdd 40% equity to the property through home makeover, refinance into a low cost mortgageNow you are cashflowing a healthy margin on a second property, use that to build equity over time, cashout later and buy your duplex/quad.If it's going to take you 10 years to save up a down payment for a small apartment building, yeah it makes more sense to start growing your portfolio with cheap SFR flips instead.Every market is different, every borrower is different, every property is different, it would be ill-advised to recommend anything without recognizing the individual's nuanced goals and objectives with their next acquisition.

You might also want to look at the benefit of doing a Cash out refinance and getting rid of that LOC.

If you were to refinance, it would cost you money plus restart your amortization.