Shadow/mentor a person doing it.

Just had a quarterly Bank advisory meeting for small towns and areas  All technical people are Harding to get.  

Quote from @Eduardo Perez-Borroto: Since the HELOC was not used on improving the home you cannot deduct the interest, nor use that to offset your capital gain.Would adding a battery bank system to my solar panels count as home improvement? 

I personally used Jon McGraw in the past and he is extremely knowledgeable in the field. 

I try not to let it get personal...there are some members that have been 'inappropriate' in the past, but I will still give them a vote if their post actually deserves it

I am now 29 and wanting to grow at a faster rate- and also ensure that I am making smart moves, rather than just grasping at whatever a bank will give me.

I personally would only reno to add additional living space and leave the rest as is.

Make sure you know where the guard rails are with your bank. 

Nothing personal. 

I inherited a partnership in a 22 unit commercial building with 8 restaurants, a grocery store, a couple of personal care services, and various other businesses.