A HELOC felt like the right approach, but I'm learning it's pretty impossible to find a lender for my situation.

Geez, I'm just trying to get a second look at my math for the current situation.

https://retipster.com/164-arturo-paturzo/Your situation reminds me of this podcast.  

Hi Joshua,It sounds like you’ve got a solid situation—congrats on positioning yourself so well!

I feel like I've dealt with every time crazy situation there is here in Chicago with squatters, evictions, drug dealers, etc., and I still love Cook County because I have a solid team and underwrite deals properly.I think @Paul De Luca nailed it on the head, though - it seems like you are quite risk-adverse, so maybe given your risk tolerance, it's not the best idea, but if it were me, I would not think twice about it, and find a rock start property manager who knows exactly how to vet tenants.

I was hoping some folks might be in a similar situation or had a similar experience and might be able to share. 

As for the decision, it's really tough for any of us to say without knowing your goals, your situation and the numbers on this particular house.

Nothing illegal about doing that, but if caught, the lender may call the loan due and if you don't correct the situation or pay the loan off, they willstart mortgage foreclosure.3) You could also go the HELOC route to tap the equity in the home, but the 12-month owner-occupancy will also apply AND the interest rate on the HELOC will fluctuate with the Fed Fund Rate.4) You could do a cashout refi as an investment property, but that will be at an interest rate 0.5-1% higher than owner-occupied rate.Suggest you meet with 2-3 lenders to explore your options about the above.Once you have access to funds, recommend you buy a 2-4 unit with 20-25% down. - You can buy owner-occupied, live in one unit, and fix up and rent the other unit(s).- If you're handy, recommend buying a property in the worst condition you can tolerate.

Quote from @Garry Lawrence: I need advice on a serious situation involving a property I’m about to buy.

Quote from @Jason Hatfield: @Jaycee Greene  they require a non refundable deposit and give 48hrs to see proof of funds I would suggest developing a relationship with an HML/PML that would give you a "guidance line" that would basically be a "pre-approval" for situations like this to present to the buyer/auction company.