I really like that Stessa and Baselane offer high earning interest accounts and physical debit cards and sounds like Stessa offers checks.

They can offer valuable insights into the local market, potential rental yields, and specific considerations for a rehab project like the one you're planning.

I will keep that in mind when discussing the offer

I've often found that the biggest competitive advantage you have when you are getting started is proximity! 

Offering a refundable fee would have to come out of your pocket.

The program is neither good nor bad, there's just different pros & cons compared to cash paying tenants.Have offered to schedule a call with you numerous times to try and assist you, but you seem to prefer posting & posting & posting - which will take so much longer:(What are the chances you'll actually invest someday, given how long it's taking you to do basic research?

Lots of us are happy to offer suggestions but I think we need to understand your situation better.All the best!

We also used PenFed, and they offer a fast HELOC…not sure how long they are now, but the process was smooth.  

San Diego is a competitive RE market with decades of near top of nation appreciation and rent growth.  

I just talked to two banks and they both said that they don't offer them for investment properties.