The home equity lines (HELOC) or home equity loans (HELOAN) may be good options to use provided that the project you are using the funds for has real solid profit margin to justify the expense. 

Too many just shove the exclusivity agreement in their face without JUSTIFYING their means. 

@Brent CoombsWe might be able to justify postponing the unsecured note as a gain if not paid in full upon subsequent sale, but probably not a deal breaker.

How much does it normally cost and would it be justified?

I'd assume you could also justify a higher rent depending on the level of improvements. 

Also, your questions are justified and well thought out.

Purchasing a vehicle can be beneficial if you have enough properties to justify the use of the vehicle for business purposes.

Based on what you are saying, it looks like you can withhold the tenants deposit (or a portion thereof),yay.... but I don't know if it is worth it based on the time and trouble you may have to deal with justifying it to a court.I know you know this, but in the future deduct that issue and its repair from the asking price.

Real Estate is too much work to justify unleveraged returns." 

Bethany is definitely a more family friendly and relaxed atmosphere type town than a lot of the other Delaware/Maryland Beach towns.Prices in most of those towns have been exorbitantly high over the last few years, and it seems like the only way you could justify buying one as an investment is if you got a good deal and made it a really high functioning STR.