What I am more concerned about is in terms of real estate what would be the best way to utilize the 200k - I want to put that money to work.

For expenses like utilities, property tax, and insurance, I estimate a 3% yearly increase.However, keep in mind that if you do renovations in the first year, it’s likely you won’t need the full 5% repair allocation for the first or even second year.

There were challenging grading issues and limited access from the street to bring in utilities.

I run sum numbers for you please see comments below before refinancing and post refinancing .If I were in your position, I would approach it as follows:Initial Investment Assumptions: Market Value: $360,000 Purchase Price: $360,000 Equity: $0,000Financial Breakdown: Hard Money Loan (LTV 100%): $360,000 Interest Rate: 10% (30-Year Amortization) Monthly Payment: $1,995Upfront Costs: Origination fee (1%): $3,600 Closing Costs (3%): $10,800 Renovation Costs: $10,000 2 Month of Carrying Costs During Renovation: $5,390Total Upfront Required: $29,790Total Capital InvestmentPurchased price $360,000 Upfront Costs $29,790Total: $389,790To make this investment work, you need to rent the whole property for at least $3,165/month, refinance it let say after one year with 5% interest with a traditional mortgage.Year One Rent: Monthly Rent Income: $3,165 Monthly Rent Losses during renovations (2 Months): -$6,330 (-$527/month distributed over 12 months) Total Rent Income: $31,650 per year => $ 2,638 per monthMonthly Expenses: Hard Money Loan Payment (10% Interest): $1,995 / per month interest only Property Tax (Assuming $3,000/year): $250 per month Property Insurance (Assumption): $100 per month Utilities (Hydro, Gas, Water): $292 per month Assuming 0% Vacancy first year Assuming 0 % Repairs & Maintenance first year because unit has been recently renovated Total Monthly Expenses: $2,637Monthly Net Cash Flow: $1Post-Renovation Refinancing Strategy:So far, we’ve purchased the property, completed renovations, and rented it out.Next, you can approach the bank for a refinance to consolidate your initial investment of $29,790 plus your 360k debt into a mortgage.

Does anyone utilize a line of credit as an emergency fund?

If utilities are present, the property is worth what other bare land properties in the area are worth.

Are utilities paid by individual unit tenants?

If that's the case, you would charge rent + utilities + water or just lump it into one rent fee.One thing to keep in mind is that friends often bail on deals like this once you get it so you have to be prepared to have to figure it out if you get the house and he isn't interested.

Quote from @Michael Galace: I'm utilizing their service, been with this agency for 5 months now. 

Credit scores are made up of many factors, one is the utilization of an account vs its credit limit.