What would you say is the best way to establish a new customer base (traditional sites or a VRBO-type approach)? 

You wouldn’t receive a 1099 for the interest paid, but you can still deduct it (I’ve bought via seller finance myself).On the traditional side, if you went conventional, we may be able to offset your existing mortgages with rental income.

I often feel it's like playing the lottery and you may get a reasonable inspector or a crazy one looking to fail your inspection for some reason or another.

Was the cost of building it different from a traditional builder?

I've got a few 30 year DSCR loans on duplexes and typically got them at about 20-30 basis points more than 30 year traditional mortgages were going for the time.

Do you know if it is usually harder to get traditional financing with a good interest rate when doing an LLC versus personal or about the same?

.- The 203(k) will allow you to bid on properties that need repairs that won't qualify for a traditional mortgage => less competition => better purchase price.You will need to find a great local contractor you can trust to supply the required bids to qualify for the 203(k).- After closing, you can do some of the work yourself to save money, but the program doesn't allow you to pay yourself.You will want to buy a Class B property, maybe Class C+, in an area that seems to be improving.

Traditional paystubs and PDFs can be forged in minutes.

If you don't want to use the PadSplit route, you can list your property on traditional OTAs, such as Furnished Finder, Airbnb, VRBO, etc., and see how many inquiries you receive.

I think the HELOC rates are usually higher than a traditional loan.For my future purchases what would be my best loan if I want to refinance within the year?