Especially as maintenance bombs increase in there detonations, the opportunities to acquire from failed operators is at the door step.  

The quicker cash flow may allow you to scale quicker if that is what you want while the better appreciation could increase your net worth more over time.

I also assume a 3-4% yearly rent increase, which naturally increases the vacancy and repair amounts over time.

Not only would the rent cover your heloc costs (eventually) your property value increases giving you the equity you options for additional real estate investments down the road. 

Now 2 days before my closing date and getting all clear on the closing, they have increased the rate by 2.2%.

I've been investing in some mixed use in very small towns for past 5-10 years. populations of 1000 - 1500, 8000, 16000 etc.

I purchased my first two multi-unit properties using data and they've doubled in value in 5 years simply because my metric was population growth and movement. 3.

I feel like there had been an increase in these types of broad open ended type posts. 

Does it improve the roof itself, or does it bring increased maintenance.

Also, I'm not sure if you are demoing an existing structure, if the structure is freestanding, etc, but this will obviously greatly affect your overall budget.For our project, most of the material prices are in line with expectations, but where we've been shocked with recent increases is the soft cost.