Lauren,That gives you an advantage!

I don't see the advantage of writing a note (with yourself as both lender and borrower?)

The median sales price is already up 11% over the last 12 months and the average price per square foot is up almost 9% and probably heading for a double figure appreciation rate.We note that December 2019 contained 21 working days and December 2018 contained 20, giving 2019 a 5% advantage.

If you currently have an FHA loan then you'll not be able to take advantage of the 3.5% down FHA loan in the same market, but there are several loan products that offer something like a 5% down loan (which is a conventional loan product).  

There is a downside, if none of us give references or verification then it's to the (bad) tenants advantage.

Pay down bad debt, save your money, and take advantage of the opportunity while you can afford to dedicate the majority of your free time to it. 

One thing that I like is the advantages of the HELOC beyond the refinance, as it will allow you to cash out only what you need when you need it.

We are in an era where everyone walks around looking down at their cell phones, so why not take advantage of that fact?

We understand you have to live in the home on an FHA home loan in order to take advantage of the 3.5% down.

Take advantage of it.