Don't be afraid to negotiate, particularly if you have a lot of rentals.4.

What documents do they require, what credit scores do they allow, how do they verify previous rental history, etc.?

I could raise their rents to market and recoup the cost of the repair, but honestly, of the rentals I own, only two have AC.

Do you have all rental income coming in one LLC acocunt?

You got bad advice from your prior accountant.You received rental income and it should have been reported.it seems like maybe he was lazy and/or doesn't understand rental concepts.The only exception is if he is paying 'under-market' for rent in which case the property would be considered personal use.I would fix the issue and charge him market rent. 

It's a duplex that I'll be house hacking.Outside of real estate, I enjoy almost ANYTHING outdoors, when indoors I love movies and board games, I'm dedicated to my volunteer ministry, and I've become fluent in Russian (learning Ukrainian).I also run my own SEO, marketing and web design agency, which I am PASSIONATE about! 

Here's why:Future Cash Flow: Once your debt is paid off in three years, you’ll have a solid cash-flowing asset that can provide ongoing income.Asset Growth: Property values, especially near a university, tend to appreciate over time.Debt Reduction: You can leverage the rental income to pay off your debt, essentially using your investment to achieve financial freedom.However, personal comfort and risk tolerance play significant roles.

but i've run into several issues when I apply for HELOC1. the home is a a rental and the banks/credit unions don't allow HELOCS on rental properties2. as mentioned the property is in the Northwest and I live in the southwest.

Here are a few:Invest in Rental Properties:Buy Rental Property Outright: Use a portion or all of your equity as a down payment to purchase one or more rental properties.

Find a good, quality, reliable handyman to help with repairs.Don't get into rental properties unless you want to get your hands dirty....