That is the reason you want to do them in an LLC and keep them dormant after selling.

There will be heavier upfront costs & >%rate than a HELOC on you principal (also the appraisals usually come in low), but you're putting dormant equity to work.

It seems this is somewhat a dormant financing option in the Baltimore area. 

It maybe dead/dormant/loss of opportunity equity BUT it doesn't cause insomnia & it gives the equities market the middle finger all day long :)

The other, is making their moves now after being dormant for awhile.

Cash is totally king right now and I personally am not willing to spend cash on a building that will potentially sit dormant for a significant period of time when I might need the cash for my manufacturing business.

During the dormant time, we only paid the taxes, no utilities.

This year it is virtually dormant. 

@Nick Ferrari the HELOC dormant figure in at all when you refinance.

When vacant, the fleas go dormant until they sense a meal.