Maintaining the pool, exterior, club house, parking lots, etc cost a lot of money.

I figured I could possibly buy a home, though it would cost a bit more for taxes, insurance, and any repairs, etc...But no, I don't feel it's the wisest choice.About the vehicle loans.

This would cut down on my interest cost as opposed to intiating a first mortgage.I have also considered just getting a first mortgage since I could get such a low fixed rate but this HELOC idea seems to me the better idea to acquire more property more quickly.

Example: the house might not be grounded, or it has aluminum wiring, the old cast iron sewer lines begin rotting around 45-50yrs old (I've had to replace them, not cheap) HVAC system may be over 20yrs old, rotted wood under pier and beam house.There are many things to look for at that age that cost a substantial amount of money.

Yikes, it'll cost a several hundred.

The property taxes in california are closer to 1.25% and the insurance cost as 1% of property is totally weird. for high cost areas where land is more expensive than the building. 

Neither one of those projects needed the outside dug up or the foundation to be rebuild so some issues may cost a lot more than what I paid for mine.

They tend to cost a little more but often I have taken the guy in the truck with the great rates and helped him get the right coverage.  

That's like asking "how much does a car cost?"As

I have a condo that is breaking even in La Costa that we bought 11/2012 and lived in, fixed up and rented out.