@Jerry Zhang - What do units normally trade for in the area?

I work in the trades as an electrician.

A Heloc is a open end mortgage like a credit card so its an additional trade line on credit, cannto never be used as an Asset, PITI reserve, and its a DTI killer in most cases.A heloc is also usually set up on a shorter term versus a mortgage, carries a Higher interest rate, and most carry a interest only with a prepayment penalty.

Soft assets like specific stocks and preservation phys assets this may not apply to, but you keep those at low % in your portfolio and actively "trade" those. 

I’m not at a place where I can altruistically give my time without trading it for income.

If you are not in the trade or business of lending, the interest will be considered portfolio income.If you are in the trade or business of lending, the interest will be considered ordinary income.

I also looked into International REITS, funds that are traded on the stock market.

I am already seeing positive signs including far better dialogue between the building trades and local government.

Plumbers, electricians and other trades can easily charge well over $180/hr).

But of course, you need to be very careful about the risk of starting a trade war.