That yellow lighting and fishbowl lens for the photos isn't doing you any favors.

So a hard money route was set into motion.

But even if you get the judgement in your favor, the money doesn’t magically appear.

First, favorable premium rates are given to homeowners for the inherit “pride of ownership” that comes with personally occupying a home.The second reason is that when a property is vacant, it is much more vulnerable and likely to have what the insurance world calls Vandalism and Malicious Mischief (VMM).

I am going to use this property as collateral on a line of credit (LOC) at very favorable terms (prime + 1%) the line will be for 100K and I can use it and pay it off just if I was sitting on 100K of cash in the bank!

Granted the interest is a bit higher but given that I'm planning on selling in about 18 months having the additional cash worked in my favor. 

For starters, financing terms are more favorable on owner-occupied properties.

From what I've heard and read there seems to be those who favor the conservative approach of pay off debt first and fast then buy more REI, and the opposite who just keep buying more REI, leveraging for another and taking on good debt.

I'd also like to get advice or perspective from those who have strategies to swing the odds in their favor, when negotiating a purchase.I'm a relatively small-time investor (currently 13 units). 

Between grade 4 and 12 most of my bad decisions including very bad things were from other kids in an attempt to gain favor.