Next, depending on your credit, I would look at a simple line of credit.

Hello everyone, Im a 26 Y/O living in Miami FL, Excited about real estate and want to know where I can get a great creditable 63 hour Florida online class?

I also investigated a home equity line of credit.

If you use transferable credits to pay your state tax (film credits in Georgia) think about funding those before the end of 2017 to preserve your state income tax deduction.

Keep calling other banks and credit unions.  

While we do have cash saved up, we'd prefer to work on our credit for another year before looking at getting a mortgage or commercial loan to possibly do a fix and flip.If you were us, would you a) use our cash to purchase, fix and flip something older and cheaper outright which seems like a huge undertaking for our first deal, b) use our cash as the downpayment/skin-in for a hard money loan (balloon) while we work on conventional qualifications to refi at a lower rate in 12 months, c) My in-laws are in the process of purchasing a seller-financed home and are interested in "renting-to-own" their place to us.

He is hedging on changing over to either one because of their credit issues.

After you find one and establish credibility, then it's very similar: credit checks, appraisals, etc. 

I know that to buy beyond 4 properties - traditional big bank financing doesn't work easily and often regional/credit/small banks give out loans once you can show them your positive cash flow & appreciation portfolio.Appreciate all insights from amazing folks on this forum, happy RE investing :-)

How is your credit?