I recently saw a graph depicting historical S&P 500 trends right before and after elections and it was interesting to see the distinct difference in share value trends. 

Many of my friends in IT and Tech report dusting off the resume after they have reached the 6-month employment milestone.

The first one is quite a milestone. 

.- Rehab money to fund the first milestone if the rehab portion is paid in draws in arrears. - The purchase deposit - anything not covered by the loan.

Rehab money however is held in escrow and released in draws, in arrears,  as you complete each milestone. 

I think it will be funny for me to go back and listen to that episode now to see how far I have come since then, we always look at what the next milestone is and rarely do we take time to look back and appreciate how far we have come.

Set your long term goals, establish the short term milestones along the way that will link to eachother, and take the steps along the way that lead your from one milestone to the next.  

This will be available in draws and refunded to you from escrow as you complete each milestone. 

Your repair cost from graph is only $10k while you state the property needs major renovation

If you can get upfront money from a HML, why would you want to receive rehab money that is tied up in escrow until you complete rehab milestones but are still paying interest on from day one?