My concern with the home equity loan strategy is I'd still have the first home mortgage, the equity loan, and a new mortgage (albeit reduced from the down payment).

For reference I own exactly one handful (5) SFH  rentals in my hometown, all have been purchased in the last 4 years.1) buying at a discount is MY preferred way to reduce risk.

Unused contingency funds, unless they were received directly from the borrower, must be used to reduce the outstanding balance of the renovation mortgage after all of the renovation work has been completed and the certification of completion has been obtained.The loan is not re-amortized.Draw Schedule:The HomeStyle program has a maximum 4 draw process.The initial draw can be up to 50% of the total project and can be for materials for the project.The final draw will be at least 10% of the total project as retainage and funds will be released upon receipt and approval of final inspection, Certificate of Completion from Appraiser, signed All Bills Paid Affidavits and Lien Waivers.Additional Draw Information:Ø Signed Draw Request by borrower and contractorØ Signed All Bills Paid AffidavitØ GMG review and approve the draw request and will release funds for disbursementØ A check will be issued in the name of the borrower and contractor and delivered to borrower via USPSØ An inspection of work to date will be performed at 50% completeFinal Draw Information:Ø Signed Draw RequestØ Final inspection/Completion Certificate will be required for release of final fundsØ A Title Update showing property free from lien or encumbranceØ General Contractor’s Lien Waiver AffidavitØ Affidavit of Completion GR will review and approve the draw request and will release a check in the name of the borrower and contractor.Change Orders and Cost Overruns:Changes to the initial plan are not permitted unless prior approval by Guaranteed Rate.

Burdened with a vulnerable and helpless feeling, I agreed to accept ABC Baltimore’s reduced offer of $95k and closed the buy—back with ABC (we still had to pay closing costs).

Their inflated costs and reduced services make them an unattractive option.

If funds for the program are reduced or eliminated it would create a national housing crisis, so generally it just gets carried at about the same level each year.Yes, local governments run out of funds which is why they close their lists or the wait time is very long. 

Meaning any of your Helocs can be closed or reduced at any point if any of your banks feel you are over leveraged, miss a payment, credit score drops, even by mistake it happens all the time.I would get rid of the Helocs and put some cash in your bank so you can use that versus a Heloc. 

I'm a small landlord with one tenant (I have two tenants total) in San Bernardino County who stopped paying rent since June 2020, making different claims--work hours reduced and that he's "having difficult times because his coworker died from COVID".

do you guys prefer to only invest in newer homes  i.e. built after a certain year to reduce the possibility of having to do a lot of reno on wiring, plumbing, etc. or does it just depend on seeing the house and determining the condition that its in?

Unless you can get the price significantly reduced, walk away Tim!