Can you PROVE that the landscaping increases rents of ability to rent? 

Ideally a HELOC is used for less then a  year project where you can refi or sell to pay back the HELOC. 5 years is a long time, things can happen and if you reduce the cashflow on both properties you'll be increasing the risk and having thinner margins.

This chart does not include the latest increase in rates, but in a couple weeks we should have an update.I saw several places that showed increased rates:https://www.verticalbuilders.com/blog/what-to-expect-in-q4-2... 

They had caught some trespassers.We have continued to upgrade our security systems as capabilities have increased and costs have decreased.  

They usually have a step down on that penalty like 3% year one, 2% year two, 1% year three and so on and so forth.So if you are buying a deal with the intention of rapidly increasing it's value in less than 24 months in order to refinance it and pull your cash out, you might want to go with a credit union for the acquisition financing because FCUs are barred from charging pre payment penalties.I could talk about this for hours about all the nuances but my fingers don't type that fast lol

While borrowing for a down payment is risky, increasing your savings will lower your interest rate.

From what I’ve read in The Economist, demand for “off-the-beaten-path” destinations has increased post-pandemic, as travelers seek quieter, less crowded areas.In my backyard, investors and homeowners alike are increasingly drawn to areas like Gilbert and Chandler due to their exceptional growth potential and quality of life.

In this era of increased rates, obtaining properties that will produce a good return are harder to find and often involve quite a bit of work.  

Whether we agree with these items or not, the following are inflationary government policies: stimulus, student debt relief, tariffs, increased child tax credits, limited immigration, and big government deficit spending.

Then gloat about how much they made on the exit meanwhile dragging the neighborhood property values and increasing crime the entire time.