It is important to take into account factors such as timing and costs when determining the best structure for your needs.

@Joseph Turner The funds seasoning period (ie the amount of time the HELOC funds are in your liquid accessible bank account) is different than the ownership seasoning of the property.

I personally invest in Antwerp, have couple of single apartments, now trying to jump into multifamily deals in city and surroundings. 

Account Closed“Long, boring post perhaps,”NOT at all, your post is quite fascinating, and VERY IMPORTANT.

Right now we require two incomes in order to afford the mortgage and looking to downgrade/rent for a while and be a single income household so wouldnt be able to pay the mortgage for the house unless its being consistently rented on FF.

Is it single young professionals,people in town for a short term job thats contract related, or families?

You could ask your accountant about options for bonus depreciation or possibly updating the properties in order to receive depreciation deductions or write-offs for repairs, maintenance, etc. 

our single best exercise move was to move to AZ in the winter. 

At the same time, I want to take direct bookings from 41% to 50%.This is your friendly reminder not to rely on any single platform to run your short-term rental business.As the short-term rental space continues to get more saturated your ability to adapt and get your listing more exposure is was will keep you profitable.

I typically rely on external sources for experts in finance, accounting, and other areas which I simply am no expert in and am happy to rely on someone else.