Seems like it would be pushing the envelope and asking for an audit and fines.

The real issue is whether you can prove that you had the intent to hold for investment if you get audited.

I just thought that doing 1 action like a HELOC payment for the exact amount of the loan would be the quickest and easiest thing to do if I were to able to get audited, because I can easily show where the money went.

Put systems in place to double check and audit onsite managers (BP podcasts have been great for these ideas), systems to handle any evictions, systems to reconcile rent, etc...The one strategy that I have not done in my local market is to get information on the local parks.

I found this funny article just wanna to share with everyonehttp://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonynitti/2013/03/25/what-are-your-odds-of-being-audited-by-the-irs/ThanksHuy

Having a W2 income and claiming RE Professional Status is a great trigger for an IRS audit.

It's a budget friendly option to some of the other services, and they have engineers on staff + audit defense, but the more expensive cost seg companies ($1500-2500) will actually do walkthroughs of your property via Facetime to more granularly estimate components of your structure. 

Just learned of a dear friend who recently resigned from their prestigious position because an audit showed they used company funds for personal expenses.

I'm not saying the data is false, but I question the impartiality of the source. 

If the proper reports and documentation are not completed, you run the risk of failing an IRS audit and the cost segregation not being honored.