How we react in those critical moments determines our long-term success.

As long as it makes sense that you are "moving up" it's good.

Look at it from a long term perspective and it should work a little better.Hope all of this makes sense. 

Knowing my goals, which are to hold on to real estate as long as I can, I would go the HELOC route. 

Lenders will typically only give credit per the terms of the agreement and any realized appreciation while renting will not be considered down payment (although will still benefit the renter/buyer greatly) 

It doesn't take long to learn how to spot a good deal.6.

I rent on my terms and my conditions, period.

The commission has been 6% for as long as I can remember and I’ve been making up 1/2-1% for years when the listing agent pays a co-broke less than 3%.

This is a long post and appreciate you reading through it. 

Question is should I pay off the down payment loan (7/1 ARM) early or put that money into savings and just refinance the ARM at end of the term?