Even so, it really was educational to see seasoned landlords go back and forth on issues of law, leases, privacy, tenants rights vs landlord rights, etc.

Later, when it's making a profit, come back during slow seasons and look at your list of potential upgrades.

Any seasoned investors in the area feedback would be greatly appreciatedthanx

This is my first purchase.  It's awesome and has been a ton of work and investment so far.  So here is the question... Should I refi in 4 months (or pull out the rest of the equity with a second) to pay off most or al...

Seasoning. 

True, you can achieve basically the same amount of interest reduction and save many years of time to debt elimination through both the "send in extra payments" strategy and by having a 1st lien HELOC but having the equity available (considered seasoned) at any given time to jump on a distressed property as well as combining many advance strategies such as offsetting HELOC interest onto 0% CC's, using 401k loans, bonuses, inheritances, letting property taxes, insurance payments, savings, your checking account cash sit in the HELOC to work down its balance until any payment is due is very beneficial.

You really want 75% LTV (loan to value) because you will be raising the value through forced appreciation following the renovation.Also, seasoning requirements are different (as far as I recall) if you are replacing cash vs. another loan. 

Does anyone have experience with this when not waiting the 6 month seasoning period?

Without a seasoned entity, you will have to personally guarantee (and qualify for) all loans to the entity. 

I'd let her do it for a couple of months to get you past the slow season.