For instance, after a hurricane prices go up typically.

You could do that, but some Realtors don't like dual representation, it can put them in a bad spot, so in those instances, you might have you own agent. 

From there, you can figure out if additional benefits can be achieved via real estate professional status or the short term rental loophole for instance. 

For instance if you have one $500,000 property with % equity and the market goes up 3% you have gained $15,000 in equity.

In this instance, forgive me for such a noob question, but I don't understand what you all mean when you say you get money back after refinancing?

@Josh Mac keep in mind that Zillow can be completely unaware of factors that affect value...and some of these factors might not be apparent until you see the property in-person.For instance, maybe someone added a bathroom to the house, and now it's a 3/3, but Zillow thinks it's a 3/2.  ...or maybe the house is right next to a busy road with tons of traffic noise, but the Zestimate is based on nearby houses that are on quieter residential streets  ...or the main floor beam under the house is rotted out--Zillow would never know that...In short, there are a ton of factors that can affect a property's value that Zillow might completely miss.The Zestimate can be reasonably accurate in showing a ballpark value...but, I wouldn't make life and death investing decisions based on a Zestimate...

For instance, just because this new law doesn't specifically say that if a tenant in the new ADU has a poodle, then the ADU isn't legal, doesn't make that enforceable.  

Tax Deeds for instance in CA are probably the simplest that I have seen and been a party to.

I am suggesting for your 100th podcast add a fifth famous 4 question.How long is it going to take you to retire,  or what constitutes retirement for you?

For instance, you can use the HELOC to buy a property "cash" and then add value to refinance later.