Once a person lets earnest money  go hard, they become emotionally attached.If you find yourself in a situation, where there was something majorly different than what you realized, then it is my firm opinion that it is best to let the seller have your earnest money and take stage left.Remember, no deal is better than a bad deal.No, I have not always been the master of that particular principal.

This just depends on you personally.

I haven't used Investor Carrot personally and know many people are happy with it.

Better pricing if they also insured your personal home.

But back to my first point, if you can use the "tax benefits" at all, if so how much, and how they effect taxes owed at the back end of the deal are all unique to each person's situation.As for refinances, some syndicators model refi's and other's don't.  

My personal approach to this, I don't seek for a positive cash flow if I have bare minimum equity in the property.

While I am fine renting while I search for the right investment, my dream would be to build (for my own personal home).

HELOC's are used for personal expenses or home improvements.

Regardless, I'm excited to learn and grow, both, my portfolio, and more importantly, personally.

In any relationship, business or personal setting expectations up front can make the difference between success and failure.