I know there are several articles on BP discussing the advantages of leverage and I’ve considered them when thinking about this decision however I’m a fairly conservative investor always looking for ways to mitigate risk.

Not sure why you would have to pay above market rate in any case given that your credit, DTI, and reserves are all good enough.

Are you looking for Capital (money) partners, and you have good credit, Or are you looking for Partners with Credit, because you have the Capital to do the deals?

Credit not so good but from years back.

Got a decent job saved a little bit of money and bought in the reno market when things were still fairly depressed.

if you have less than 1,000.00 under your name, and owe almost 100,000.00 in student debt, and have a terrible credit, and income is not stable... where do you start?

Now we would like to release some of that equity to buy a rental property - but I don't have the credit score to take two dings, i.e. one for the HELOC and one for the rental mortgage. 

Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent, friendly, and fair/reasonably priced handyman (or contractor) who could help with this?

Also, would I be able to borrow enough with the new mortgage to rehab it or is that usually with borrowe money like credit cards and smaller loans?

Fortunately, I had reserves and we are able to roll some of these onto credit accounts.