if so, could you suggest the most efficient way to acquire my first home?

Straw buyers are  doing things to acquire the asset at the same time they acquire the mortgage..

Initially, I relied on county GIS to identify potential properties and acquired contracts via cold calls, which led to my first six deals.

Capital expenditures (CapEx) refer to significant expenses used to acquire, upgrade, or maintain a property, extending its useful life and increasing its value.

Marketing leads via forms and acquiring their contact info id say aout of 15 leads 3-4 answer and even go see the list of new builds I have them go see but not converting what can I do different to close these leads ? 

We will likely split that between index funds, money market/savings, and short term bonds while being opportunistic in acquiring value add properties.

If you are using the HELOC proceeds to acquire land for a property that will be business use in some manner (a rental), then that interest expense from the HELOC would be deductible against that business project. 

Then make sure you leave enough equity in the Lakewood property and sell it after acquiring your next property.

The LLC has no impact on the effective tax rates.Also if you acquire a property for the purpose of flipping, that will always be Ordinary Income, also likely subject to self-employment taxes.That particular sales event has no impact on the taxation of your normal rental income from other properties. 

Folks,I am about to acquire my 4th property in San Diego in this market now(1 SF, 1Condo,2 Townhome).