These are mainly meant for first-time investors with low reserves, and you end up making a much lower profit margin due to the extremely high interest payments.  

never-mind that 5 miles down the road a similar property is $15K.

To be honest, I posted in here about two years ago and never logged on again.

NEVER skip this.  

The guru has never seen nor have they survived a downturn.

My market timing has never been fantastic and, it seems, my move into real estate is no different LOL!

One  downside to the VA loan is having to pay for the VA  funding fee  ( unless you are  exempt  on  having to pay this ) ...if you pay 600K  and put  10K down  and  finance  the VA  funding fee - your end loan amt will likely be  > 600K ....make sure you have a loan pre approval in place  and make sure you can use antoher VA loan .   

When you get tied up in a project that you used a HELOC for that ends up taking 9-12 months, and you can't pay it back, that is when the interest will really start adding up and ruin the project. 

I have never heard of anyone getting a fixed rate for 30 years in Canada.

Our area is not unique, this is a nationwide issue (opportunity) for accounting firms.In the end I think many would be well served to think of their CPA/EA as they do an attorney - while they can also help provide planning advice to better structure your tax life and save some money, a portion of the cost is just a cost of doing business - you are required to be compliant by the Feds / states / etc, and the CPA/EA is insurance to ensure you get it right and stay out of their way.