Will Open HELOC Affect DTI Ratio?

[Vincent Forte]

Looking to build a rental portfolio. I have my primary home with about $235,000 worth of equity. My plan/idea was to open a HELOC and start using the funds to purchase duplexes, triplexes, etc and put 20% down using the HELOC funds.

Right now my current DTI is 37%. Credit score is 780.

My questions is should I take the max $150,000-$190,000(or what ever they approve me for) HELOC or will that hurt me when I need to qualify for the conventional loan to purchase these investment properties? I currently have 10+ years of rental history on my tax returns to show the lenders and I know that should help.

Will a lender count the full open LOC against my DTI if I only used $50,000 of the line? I would love to have the full $150,000 - $190,000 available, I figure that could put me into 3-5 properties in the next couple year.