And most times I personally make the connection with the bank holding the mortgage, communicate the transaction of intent and ask if any particulars from them on it.

Simple answer - yes you can alter your funding source after putting it under agreement if you chose to use a hard money lender instead - i would just communicate with seller that hey I was going to use cash (assuming you have it from your heloc) and instead will finance some of it but let them know its not contingent on financing.

Here is how we usually handle situations like this: if a tenant communicates with us, we usually try to work something out with the tenant. 

Communication is easy people.

@Sonja RevellsThey usually communicate to the seller there are liens and their proceeds would be less because of the payoffs.

That plus his willingness to communicate with anyone who asks him questions and his team are very  praiseworthy.

Communication with the tenants is key.

However generally from working with 2-3 other PMs in the west coast, I am 100% fine paying more of a premium each month for a PM that is transparent and is able to give more time to communication.

Quote from @John Busch: Truly appreciate the multiple responses and look forward to continuing our communication as we live in Southern CA and do not have many contacts in that part of the county. 

Does anyone have a recommendation for a reliable, quality cleaning company with great communication?