Thanks for the responses everyone.While I'm not surprised by the "just start calling" advice I am surprised that nobody seemed to think there was any merit to getting some experience on someone else's dime and not flubbing over my own prospects.Certainly rethinking this strategy.As always thank you BP Universe for good advice and making me think.

In terms of singling out properties, diligent court research should bear out where the Personal Representative resides and their relationship to the deceased, and you can flag those PR's that live out of state, as there is more urgency to sell - they likely don't want to travel on their own dime to maintain a vacant home or play landlord. 

If you don't have POF, then make sure you have a pretty damn good plan to share your vision.If someone is nickel and diming you, dump them.

My goal is pretty simple, keep new (and maybe more established investors) from getting in trouble, getting ripped off or following bad advice, I don't charge a dime doing it.

She had already spent about $10K in materials from local and national gurus, and not made a dime from it.

Discount direct mailers are a dime a dozen.

You give them their 5k for the year and you don't owe them a dime until next year but you now have 65k and can get into two more deals at the same time now. 

Bag of mercury dimes.

Then sit back and hold your breath hoping he doesn't take a blow torch to your new investment and if he does, pony up a lot of money to sue him for the vandalism which while it may get you a judgment, won't get you a dime in your pocket or, maybe you play nice and offer him cash to leave it in broom swept condition.

You can save a nickel and dime on interest if you deposit your income to the heloc, but using it as emergency fund just doesn't sound safe at all.With today's low interest in mortgage, it's very easy to find other investment that will outperform the 3-5% interest range.