Current lease term (expiration date, month-to-month)7.

Together, we negotiated favorable terms with the seller, ensuring a beneficial deal.

We will most likely be doing a long term rental.

I think you'd be better served to turn the STR unit into a long term rental.

Is it okay to make that investment and wait for a long term appreciation?

And or course, short term loan for HELOC and then refinance later.

We're also able to evaluate our rates, and keep pace with inflation, on a monthly and quarterly basis because of shorter term leases.Now we syndicate larger self-storage deals and work with passive investors.

I know it is crazy to think but is there private lenders to talk to that will work with you on rates, terms...etc?

Loan terms are going to vary, based on the asset, your liquidity, net worth.We've got three deals currently under contract with a credit union, 25 yr am, 6.75% rate, 2 years I/O, 5 yr term. 

I have found that most section 8 tenants, want to leave on good terms, since their address history follows them around.