Best credit line structure with low impact to debt to income

[Michael Owens]

Hi all - I am planning to leave my W-2 to go out on my own, and do a combination of (1) rental properties and (2) entitle and flip land deals. 

I have enough liquidity that I am comfortable doing this for a couple years, but am wondering (1) if I should secure some sort of credit line while I have the W-2, and if so (2) what's the best setup / type of credit line that is best from a debt to income ratio perspective? I would rather not secure it with properties, but I have $250k equity in my primary house, and another 500-600k in equity in other rental properties - if helpful. I am wondering if there's a way to get a credit line in case of a rainy day / if liquidity is needed to close on something. I very likely will draw very little on it unless its really needed. My understanding is most HELOCs and credit lines will look at, and affect, your debt to income. Is there an alternative approach? I am only looking for maybe $100-200k that I can draw on. Is the best bet to just do the HELOC and take a hit on your debt to income?

I know there's some nuances, so recommendations on groups to talk or specific financial products to evaluate would be helpful as well.