My goal changed from acquiring more inexpensive properties to looking at real estate as a store of wealth - quality over quantity. 

Hi @James Heller I am fully renovating 2 of my units on a 4plex I have in Golden Hill...feel free to reach out and send me a private message if you need assistance and contacts....You can get cabinets and prefab quartz countertops pretty inexpensive and refacing is usually more expensive, I've found.  

we see a lot of forum posts who never meet anyone in person and then things start to go off the railsmaybe @Bob Stevens has some recommendations Hi Nicholas - unfortunately I don't think I'd be able to fly out within the time frame I'm working with, but very valid point! 

The area where my mom lives is inexpensive and seems like pure cash flow could be $300-400/ month or more."

Their applications are the longest and have short time frames for work to be completed. 

A HELOC carries a higher rate over a shorter amortization usually 10 or 15 years and a mortgage carries a lower rate over a 30 year amortization offering a lower payment.You have to run the math in each scenario because the math differs based on a few things like Fico score, CLTV, Loan size, and time frame between purchase and refinance of new property.

If I were to rent for 6 moths, the lease would end Feb/March time frame given its almost September now. 

Can someone update us of timeframe to resolve the issue?

We also keep an inexpensive steam cleaner in a closet in case there are any accidents.

Not sure the time frame, it may depend on the Judge's schedule.