I understand the logic behind why people just deduct them as overhead, but technical rules prevent doing so.

This is the reason why LMR is collected to prevent tenants from stiffing a landlord at the last minute.If you can find a replacement tenant for the first of September you can refund her LMR otherwise she is responsible for September rent.

Hopefully you are addressing issue preventatively so you wont really have to use the HELOC while you're low on cash, but it is there for security if you do.

I have actually been on the seller side of this situation, and it is very frustrating when a tenant prevents a showing to a potential buyer.

An ounce of prevention, right?  

If the title is clear, what would prevent me from being able to sale the property or take equity out?  

Your absolutely right though, need to get that termite bond and ongoing preventative treatments.

But it's a way to prevent being abandoned as the end of the job approaches with a tiny draw at the end.

The National Association of Realtors® is the second largest lobbying organization in the country, I suspect they would throw all their cash reserves at trying to prevent this kind of thing, but there is also a good chance Amazon's model would resonate with local governments as a way to boost the economy as not paying 5-6 percent to sell would increase a homeowner's discretionary spending money and increase the collective net worth of homeowners to the tune of hundreds of billions dollars.

Should I put concrete around this area prevent water from seeping into the foundation and basement windows or pitching the ground level so water drains out faster towards a drain that goes out to street drain. 3.