You should only consider switching when your current software has a significant flaw or lacks features that force you to spend excessive time on workarounds.

Stessa’s reports are great, but lacking support for more complex loan structures—like your portfolio loan—can make tracking a nightmare.

I'd encourage you personally to either consider a strategy that allows you to add value quickly and get out quickly (a Flip or BRRRR) if the HELOC is your current only/best option for cash, and/or to simply save up.

The waiver is only good for damages not lack of notice or not showing up.

I simply call my broker and add the customers name to my liability policy.

In your case, I would simply point out that they forgot to give a value for that space.

If you do not close on enough of your properties to defer all tax you will simply pay the same tax you would have at the same time you would have.

Don't give names or addresses, but simply ask hypothetically. 

Seems to me whatever % you would give up would be offset by simply renting out the upstairs unit.    

It's much easier to rack up  material hours if you are nearby and able to take on some of the timely hands-on work yourself.I imagine that others have tried to do this while OOS investing but I couldn't speak to their success (or lack thereof)