Hey @Katherine Lewis, I have always felt this was a tougher row to hoe overall.It's not that it couldn't work, but the juice might not be worth the squeeze.If you go all in you have to do it for the long haul.

I have the "Bidding to Buy" book next on my reading list, following by David Greene's "Long Distance Real Estate Investing" book. 

Matt Scott, Incite Venture Capital and his team can be summarized as follows: over priced, non responsive, non professional agreement breaking, chip on their shoulder and otherwise a bad investment.

Hi Leo, its been years since I closed on a HUD property but you close on the property as soon as title is ready like any other property.  

I'm curious with this FB/mentorship group what are you posting about daily? 

You live in one room, rent out the others, and pay your expenses with the income.

I’m brainstorming ideas on how I can market myself to potential mentors in the STR game in order to gain experience.

I would only use the heloc if you plan on cashout refinancing one of the properties to pay it off once the rehab is complete. 

I agree with the others.

The issues can be local so look for someone in your area who is posting and try to contact.