I do and have done both and find the STRs much better, not just because of the money.Of course with STRs you are much more limited in choice of property when you are purchasing.....it is all about location, even more than traditional RE.

Bet not! 

We also give our owners a choice between using our provider or one of their own if they don't trust ours.

If you already have a deal in hand, or better yet, under contract, a cash out might be a better option, but in almost any other situation, a HELOC will be a better choice. 

I think finding a team in today's real estate market is going to be as powerful, and likely more so, than your choice of brokerage.

That’s the best bet.

I'd bet if you looked harder you could find something smaller and less expensive with the same return.

A local bank is probably your best bet.

@Jonathan Bell Your best bet is to contact the tax assessor in the area that you're looking for properties in. 

My choice is walk away from 100k that I already spent, or complete the project and have a working asset.