Still better than the place burning down, I guess.

Opening a HELOC, but not actually drawing on the HELOC, is like "stock piling" cash without the cost of the interest burn.

You are looking for burned out hobby landlords. 

That's why I like to always leave "failed deals" with a good impression (no rough bridge-burning negotiations) and let them know that if they change their mind here's my card. 

From a lender's perspective, the biggest determinant of risk is the LTV and skin in the game.Lenders have been burned by worst-case scenarios, i.e. if you default or the market turns. 

I know it can burn when you have a totally baseless case filed against your llc, because you'll obviously have to shell out the $$ for your attorney to defend the llc, money that you'll never recoup, but its necessary and really shines light on the ability of your operation to scale itself.As to needing to be licensed - I know W-2 employees don't need a license for brokerage activities concerning properties owned by their employer.

Do you have the time to burn to get these things done? 

I will continue my research and keep that fire in me burning.

And to not get burned when investing with an emphasis on appreciation, you need to understand your market down to a gnats-*** level of detail and watch it like a hawk. 

simply do not take anyone's word for this landlock situation.. open escrow get a title commitment and see it it is actually landlocked.. if it is your remedy in the real world. is1. getting a neighbor to grant you the proper easement you will need.2. confirm from the city or county that you can access the property from this new easement..despite common statements folks will make that no property can be landlocked.. and there are remedies this simply is not true.. properties can be landlocked... owners do it to themselves.. not common but it does happen.As for the old house.. sometimes if there is no lead or asbestos fire department will burn them down as an exercise.. ( sometimes)biggest issue in many markets now is the lead paint and Asbestos remediation during the demo.. some areas they don't car.