Chances are they know the area and are at least decent if they continue to get work in the area.

I will have to continue to read, brainstorm and study.  

As I continue to grow my real estate portfolio, I’m actively looking for other commercial and residential investment opportunities to expand my footprint in the market.

And we're still waiting on the last deed, which we're assuming we'll have to continue to check in on.We asked for an entity structure diagram to share with our CPA and that also took several reminders.Trying to set up a bank account with their recommended bank was very confusing.

Honestly the high fees combined with lack of transparency and high appraisal costs, a whole month of UW (longer than normal), etc. would make me want to switch lenders right away because IME the lenders with high fees and high appraisal costs who drag their feet like this also tend to be the ones to continue delaying, have things get stuck in underwriting, say one thing while delivering another, have poor communication especially between UW and origination, bad customer service, can't close when they say they will, etc. and it can be a total nightmare. 

I ended up getting real estate license (while still keeping my job) grew the real estate business and continued to buy properties.

Noted and will continue with a proper notice of an increase in rent.

If I were to do this, which I don't plan to for at least a few months (I would like to properly do my research) I was also curious whether or not people thought interest rates on HELOC LOANS were going to start going down or continue going up?

I, personally, wouldn't continue to work with a buyer who tries to dictate how I negotiate, especially one who wants me to "repeat back ... how they'll present." 

You can continue to invest in real estate and create more depreciation losses via cost segregation to offset the recapture though.