A portfolio of SFRs can be refinanced with a blanket portfolio loan using a local bank or credit union.These lenders often base their rates on  different benchmarks and spreads which can get you varying results.Just as an example, I got 2 different qoutes from banks this week on the same property.

The seller is using a RE lawyer, I know that for a fact. 

Using a 70% of ARV formula works, I mean depending on the repairs it's still a property at a discount.

If you want to close in an LLC, you can do so using a NON QM lender. 

Hey Alex,I am also new to this Forum and lack any real experience... but it is my understanding that you cannot do any substantial rehab work (forcing equity) when using a VA loan.If you or anyone else can confirm or correct me on this I would appreciate it!

Yes, I have considered using my VA loan and using as my primary residence for the 4 bed 2.5 bath deal I mentioned, and since the property taxes are outrageous in this neighborhood, I would also get some help on the property taxes to limit my expenses and continue to aggressively save.

@Nick Littleton personally, I have not encountered this issue (I've done numerous owner occupant mortgages, refis, and HELOCs, and no lender has ever asked me about my property management experience, or whether I'm using a PM, or anything about how the property is managed...other than asking to see signed leases that correspond with the rent income I reported on my taxes), so I was surprised by what you described......I'm interested to hear from the lending pros on here: is property management or property management experience a commonly used criterion for loan qualification? 

Using a mortgage calculator, you can easily compare your current mortgage to a 30 year mortgage at the current rates to have an estimate prior to getting the info from your mortgage broker.  

Exactly Jay, there’s so much of this hype and misinformation about using a LLC so it doesnt show up on your credit report or DTI out there it gets kind of annoying.

One way might be using a DSCR loan.