I am trying to get my funds up to invest in our first real estate deal and am having a tough time making a decision on whether to do a Heloc or cash Refi.

Schools aren't great, though, and population is flat or slightly down since 2010. 

@Kevin Uzelac If you want a long term hold, you need long term funding which will most likely be from a traditional lender.Start checking around with local lenders as well as national lenders and credit unions to see what it will take to qualify for funding for rental properties.

Has anyone created a qualified opportunity fund (QOF) with a corporation or partnership and successfully invested in a Nashville Tennessee or Clarksville TN?

Generally, it's not worth even making an offer until they are desperate, meaning foreclosure is imminent and the property owner does not have the funds to redeem the property by paying off the tax debt.

Looking to diversify from being an LP in syndications and was looking into leveraging available HELOC and BLOC to fund BRRRR's. 

I’m currently finishing up Real Estate School (which is run by @Chad Carson and I would highly recommend), and I am going to make my first RE purchase by April of 2019. 

I just wonder if they truly and really can and will get those types of deals done and closed..I really appreciate your reply so if no up front fee and as long as your not risking any serious EM if they don't fund.. then give it a shot

This is what your repairs and capex funds are for.

Looking for options to fund the construction.