If you can use OPM on the renovation at say 7% with plan to pay the principal down in less than a year, then I would invest your personal funds elsewhere into another deal or do something with your current STR to help it stand out.From my experience, HELOCs scare me but I do know if done the right way they can be very effective.I'd be happy to chat more on your Smokies STR on how to help make it stand out.

We have a few rental units and also flip houses.

If you can't keep control of your personal finances, you are highly unlikely to succeed in real estate investing.

(I know this may be a personal preference but help would be appreciated). 

As a widower with 5 grown kids, building a legacy and providing affordable housing options are top priorities.

I find properties myself or use personal connections.

I hope they get back to having every day investors who built a portfolio from the ground up, house by house and can talk about how they did it and the different strategies and routes they took that others can learn from and deploy as well.

@Ned Carey I am buying in my personal name and trying to quit claim into LLC.

Quote from @KiKi Wood: Personally, I would say that anything more than ~22% is a little steep...Hey Kiki,Thanks for your thoughts and I think everyone is entitled to their opinion.

The owner of the out of State should be your personal living trust.