I'm being careful to check the ownership of any loan i'm refinancing with no cash back and locking the loan with these rules in mind -- for everybody's safety and for simplicity.There are lenders who sell only to Fannie or Freddie, which may stymie their ability take advantage of some of this flexibility (Wells Fargo is a Freddie shop, as is US Bank, B of A is a Fannie shop, pretty sure Chase is too.) 

You can buy at foreclosure auction with cash as well( Though this is much more risky proposition and you need to do your homework.Ultimately this option gives you the most flexibility and doesn't put burden of an expensive hard money loan over your head. 

The purpose for looking for a HELOC opposed to a re-fi is the flexibility of pulling money out in draws, and the low fee structure compared to a re-fi with closing costs and greater points. 

All things being equal, a line of credit is usually more flexible than a mortgage.

Please note that the account into which the funds are deposited must be the same type of account from which the funds were first withdrawn (e.g. withdrawal of pre-tax funds from a 401k could be deposited in a pre-tax IRA but not a Roth IRA - "like to like").Loans:Payments on a 401k loan taken under the CARES Act must be paid back starting in 2021 over a 5 year term.Here are the details regarding the loans:NEW LOANS:The CARES Act which was enacted to provide relief to individuals impacted by COVID-19 allows for increased 401k loans and more flexibility for repayment of these loans.Specifically, you must be an individual who meets one of the following conditions to demonstrate that you have been impacted by the crisis (and it will be your responsibility to retain documents in your files that demonstrates that you are a qualified individual):Individual who is diagnosed with COVID-19, with a CDC-approved test;Individual whose spouse or dependent is diagnosed with COVID-19, with a CDC-approved test; ORIndividual who experiences adverse financial consequences as a result of being quarantined, furloughed, laid off, having work hours reduced, being unable to work due to lack of child care due to COVID-19, closing or reducing hours of a business owned or operated by the individual due to COVID-19; or other factors as determined by the Treasury Secretary.On or before September 23, 2020, such individuals take a 401k participant loan subject to the following terms:Maximum Amount of the Loan: 100% of their 401k balance not to exceed $100,000.

Having to live in your first deal for a year - especially at your age when you have that flexibility - is not a big deal.

The first is a more flexible form of whole life called universal life insurance coverage.

I have banked with Chase for most of my left. 4 checking accounts, 3 credit cards, 1 line of credit all under one roof is nice.I do have lines of credit with 3 other banks but I dont keep deposits with them.In attempting to refinance my commercial office building, one of the bankers said they would have more lending flexibility if I had my accounts with them.

Credit unions are the most flexible lenders I've encountered with HELOCs. 

Finally, REI and stocks are slightly uncorrelated so holding both allows flexibility in which I draw from when.