Either way, you should spend your efforts on one or both of these methods. 

Hello, I currently Own a Property in the central valley California.  Valued at 525K.  I have a 100K Heloc on the property.( No other debt on the property besides that)  I am thinking about doing a cash out refi, and t...

This is called the BRRRR method (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat).Best of luck!

I work for the State of CA in all of there property Acquisitions, it is a very common method to pass on the right of Survivorship without probate. 1/3 Mother in law ; 1/3 You; 1/3 Your SpouseThis would account for any deaths in the family and pass right to the surviving owners. 

Hello all, I have been listening to the podcasts and I am in the process of scaling up my BRRRR process.

(Thinking about using the BRRRR model).

It's a personal choice, but I'd do the same thing if I was in your shoes.Another option to consider is doing a cash-out refinance, keep it as a rental, and use those proceeds to BRRRR with.

A couple of the reasons/concerns I am considering this:-Difficult to go the BRRRR method in the current market and actually find a deal (too many non-Texans, like myself originally paying way over market value on MLS)-I liked the work the builder did on our property, and we would ideally build a base model without much customization, and add forced appreciation in the second home while we live in it over time-I would like to take advantage of the current rates, as well as my VA benefit with the best strategy possible in starting the rental journey-I know our current home would rent and cashflow well (only con/concern is that our upgrades are on the higher end, rather than econo-rental-friendly: porcelain wood-look flooring, granite countertops etc.) 

Doing some digging myself, Podcast episode 399 with Jeff Thorman, and David Greene's BRRRR book 

Any advice much appreciated - this is our first BRRRR!