It's slick and can cut down on bad debt as well as reconciliation time after moveout. 

They're spending tax-payer money, so they'll cut a check without batting an eye.Document condition before and after with photos, inspect regularly, and you should be fine.

Have you paid their standard fee (or beat them up to lessen it further) or a premium to cut the line when updates or revisions are needed?

Even if you fail the first time (pretty much every inspection I've had the person finds something to flag) they don't cut off payment until they have come back out a second time.

Inevitably, there are some that are not cut out for the turbulence and want to sell after less than a year of ownership.

That doesn't cut it for me.

Renters see that the whole neighborhood is available for rent and they push to see who will give them the best deal (or which agent will cut them a deal). 

@Ryon PaxHave you considered cutting some of your personal expenses to pay for the HELOC or find another way to generate added income?

If the concern is max cash out, you can cross collateralize the properties to cut down on costly processing fees.  

There used to be some landlord seminars for Dallas Housing Authority ever so often, so that might be a good place to ask if they are still doing those.One thing to think about is if Section8 might be subject to the DOGE cuts?