Not sure when rates are going to drop, so refinace may be farther in the future.It comes down to what your goals are.

Asset based mortgages carry a better rate but you are going to have your assets locked up not able to touch until you refinance or sell the properties.

I heard using my own name is easier to get approved for loan and having lower rate.

Any of the tax options that don't pass through are likely taxed at a higher rate or create other issues with their structure.

They may come up but understand that rental rates are generally well below market (hence the discount) and these deals are largely off-market if you're able to find them.

If the pricewould have been $20k less I would have been good with just a VA loan.So depending if you're looking at a larger more expensive house, I wouldn't refi the 1st one as I'm sure your interest rate is pretty low, plus adding closing cost would add more $ being refinanced.

The demand is high due to location and elevated rental rates in the area. 

Also at the time i was worried about the 3.5% interest rates, so feel free to laugh at my stupidity there. 

Market rate right now is $1200/mo and with renovations (quoted 60-75k in labor) it's hard to say because there aren't much data points, but I think I could fetch $1500-1600/mo.

Also does it impact mortgage rate and insurance also?