I started out that way and a selling point I used was that they are getting double the commission as a buyer/listing agent, you'll find that some agents might communicate a little faster for you. 

If they aren't, then maybe do just a little better so that you can get the renters in faster.

But it doesn't hold the same weight as a pre-approval when you are making offers. 

Then check the city planning commission and such to find if there're any plans in your area that might add even faster to the value.  

To me it's like a faster version of email.Another thing I do is put my Google Voice number on silent most of the time unless I'm trying to fill a vacancy.

Maybe Airbnb for extra income and use that to payoff the house faster? 

Not only that it's faster since I can simply cut and paste a phone # and hit enter.

If you know exactly what you're looking for, you can move a lot faster.

Would it be faster to get a heloc?

If a contractor costs, say, $10k more, but is able to finish the job 2 months faster, that quite possibly could be "cheaper" to you than the cheaper bid/GC, when you consider the carrying costs of the property.