HELOCs: What I Learned from Sitting on Both Sides of the Table

[Jorge Vazquez]

Back when I was a banker, I saw it all—investors walking in thinking they were about to pull $100K in a HELOC on a rental they bought six months ago, only to get hit with a big fat denial. No prep, no strategy, just vibes. Fast forward to now, I've used HELOCs on my own deals—flips, BRRRRs, even for emergency repairs—and helped other investors do the same without wrecking their credit or getting buried in paperwork. The trick? Know your numbers, ask the right questions (like what they'll approve without income verification), and build the relationship before applying. Trust me, opening a small account at the bank you want to borrow from can go a long way. I’m curious—what’s been your experience with HELOCs? Ever pulled one off a rental or did it backfire? Let’s compare notes.