I think Peter covered the best course of action.

Hi Shayan, You will be able to close on properties quickly and have access to rehab funds immediately if you are able to qualify for a HELOC that can cover both the purchase and rehab.You should be careful though as if you cannot sell the property or you run out of rehab funding, you may end up being over leveraged.

Picture this: 3 pools and hot tubs, a dynamic game room, a versatile venue, pickle-ball courts, outdoor theater, mini-golf, and more.

., $700) to cover this, or are there other strategies for handling utilities in this situation?

I would be looking to use hard money to cover the costs of renovations.

We like the short-term rental idea because we could stay at the property ourselves when we want - summer break, spring/winter breaks, etc.Our budget will be right around $1M or less ideally, and we would like a short distance to the ocean.How likely is it that we could find a property as described above and have it cover or come close to covering the mortgage? 

I suspect I will throw more money at a problem Airbnb has no interest in covering

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

.)- All in Cost = Cost to build * Square foot  - Sales Price = All in Cost + (All in cost * 20%)* Covers contractor and soft cost on either fee based or cost+- Profit = (Sales price - (Sales Price * 7%))* - All in Cost   accounts for agent fees and closing cost- Initial List Price = Sales price + 10%      A buffer to test market absorption- Break Even being All in cost, point where everyone is paid except me. - List price is to test the market absorption at "x" price. 250k land + build.

Kids are out of the houseand college is covered.