I am trying to leverage my home's equity to access investment funds but I've run into a road block.

Maybe you take tenants and management co all separate to small claims as the legal fees are going to be painful. 

The home is in a good location - 3 blocks from the up and coming revitalized "downtown square" with boutique shops, cute restaurants, coffee shops.

If you send the security deposit disposition to the address they rented from you with ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED written in the area between the address block and stamp you'll get a postcard back with the details if the mail is forwarded. 

As an investor-focused real estate agent, I can assure you that there are areas in Atlanta that can vary block by block.

Block your neighbours calls.

Many states have a limitation on 179 that is different from the Feds.Some have really painful rules on dealing with that bonus depreciation addbacks.You still benefit from the cost segregation study without the bonus depreciation - say your cost segregation study broke out $100k of 5 year property - now instead of spreading that out over 27.5 / 39 years, you get to take it over 5 years for your local state.You still get the bonus depreciation amount on your Federal return, regardless of what the state does.

I'm looking for ideas on how to handle a potential bust cycle and prevent it from blocking my progress towards acquiring a second property.

Note even without any contingencies you have a little room for negotiation as you can walk and lose ED but it is a pain for the seller.  

Hi,I feel your pain about this.