We are researching home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, and the possibility of refinancing our current mortgage to free up the cash needed to make those improvements and make the down payment on the multi-family unit. 

Venmo allows you to use a bank account or debit card for free (they'd charge 3% fee if using a credit card). 

I'm looking at updating/improving the kitchen and bathroom on a small house in Waldo to prepare it to become a rental property. 

Credit low only due to card utilization.

Tenant turn over is a normal part of business and when done properly is cost effective and usually results in a better tenant that is prepared to fully support your business plan by being able and willing to pay market rent.

The approval is based on credit, cash flow of the property and loan to value.

A place for opportunities with high rent returns for relatively low purchase investments.This question assumes you have good enough credit, debt/income ratio, income, etc that getting the loan will not be an issue.  

He wants an upfront fee of $795 and he says it gets credited at closing.

I have cash and credit.

I would like to make him an offer to pay off his mortgage debt and hopefully limit the impact on his credit.