(Although we did give them a lock box code) We wanted to inspect for sabotage prior to cutting the water on. 

Landlord locks will solve your problem.

I'm reluctant to do a refi since I have great rates locked in and I'm not 100% sure when I will need access to the credit lines from the HELOC, plus I'd rather avoid increasing my payments until I need the money.

We need to secure financing, and have talked to several lenders with varying options from ARMs to conventional mortgages. we've purchased several homes as primary residences, but this is our first investment property and I want to make sure we're not screwing up here.One loan we got a quote on was a 10 year balloon, 5 year fixed, with an adjustment after 5 years and then locked in again until year 10.

Do they put lock boxes on the contracted houses so you could go view them on your own?

I'd like to cash out what I can and lock in an interest rate for as long as I can.

The owner had a lock box with keys on the outside and requested that we leave a roll of tp and paper towels upon our departure as well as $20 on the counter for the maid.

You Vegas residents, I just posted about an awesome HELOC opportunity with nevada state bank, lock it in at 3.99% 85% ltv and 10 years.

My town is land locked with not a lot of options for building, but the area continues to grow. 

Here is the results of my properties that I have bought within 2010 and 2017:-----------------------------------------------Year: 2013 (locked in Contract, bought in 2014)Type: 3 Family (2 Floor Thru's and 1 Duplex Garden Apt), BrownstoneLocation: Bed-Stuy, BrooklynPrice: $900kRenovation: $350k2018 FMV: $2 Million for an increase of $2 Million minus $350k minus $900k = $750kCash Flow Increase from 2013: over $4k per month increase!