With my current short term flip loan, I've already worked out a extra 30 day extension if I have to. 

I focus on long term appreciation plays. 

However, my uncle who handles short-term rentals suggests I might could make much more turning it into short-term rental. 

Primarily I'm looking to get into fix and flips then move into long term rentals.

There's a lot of research you could do on VRBO/AirBNB/AirDNA to compare similar properties in terms of rates and occupancy, but my experience is that Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are more popular because of the nearby amenities, nightlight, recreation, and other things to do. 

If rates fall, you can refinance the 2nd without touching the 1st lien.I wouldn't plan for long-term financing with the Heloc as the draw period will term out at some point.

Is everyone on the same page with the long-term goal?

I am a small real estate investor in San Antonio, TX looking to diversify my portfolio with some long-term units in Ohio.

I never use the term 'rich' and honestly don't feel we are. 

We have a single-family long-term rental in Port Charlotte that we'd like to keep the current mortgage rate, but we do have some equity we'd like to have access to.