When using the Fannie/Freddie/Federal Home Loan Bank second home occupancy loan and you transfer title within the first year to an LLC that the borrower is majority owner of it will not trigger the due on sale clause as long as you can attest that it will continue to be a second home.  

A Heloc is on a higher rate, shorter term and is a debt obligation.

Together, we negotiated favorable terms with the seller, ensuring a beneficial deal.

What can I ask in terms of how to carry the animal around to prevent anyone else complaining of allergies and such?

Prepayment penalties- usually 1-5 year terms.

I like the idea of short/mid term rentals more then the long term...one big reason is not having to move all of his stuff...or at least being able to take my time.

Seems like it will be hard to add multiple properties to a portfolio a year when you have to wait so long in order for a bank to work with you.

Interested is strategies for selling long term rental of 8 years.

If the underlying terms are extremely favorable and the principal large, maybe. 

Long story short VA doesn't require us to make a down payment at closing.