I am wondering if transferring the cash periodically to a standard brokerage IRA account may be my best option.

If Florida recognizes Transfer On Death dees (TODs) subject A could fill one out naming subject B to avoid having to go through probate.

A relative who does long-distance real estate investing told me that I have to sign the final loan document and the transfer of ownership document in person.

I try to get it in ASAP before I put a lot of time into coordinator with potential applicants who might not be ideal tenants. 

They may get paid on the 3rd and need to not initiate a payment until their paycheck hits their account to avoid being overdrawn.I personally have a 5 day grace period and rent is considered paid when the transfer is initiated.

Assuming you go the HELOC route, another option to reduce your costs assuming you have decent credit is to look at credit card balance transfer promotions.Back in 2003-2004 I had HELOCs on my investment properties and interest rates were increasing.

@Blake Johnson If investors want to divide real estate holdings without triggering a large tax bill, the biggest challenge is that transferring assets out of a corporation is typically treated as a taxable sale at fair market value.

Are there specific national or regional agencies that coordinate temporary housing for disaster victims?

Once you identify a good PM, talk to them about transferring each rental as they become available.

Who will conduct the move-out inspection and coordinate/supervise turnover?