If you are getting a loan no there is no way to protect yourself from crushing your credit or having a foreclosure against you if you are the borrower. 

We have secured a home equity loan against our home (which we own out right with no mortgage payment).

This could be an opportunity to add value by offering to help with clearing or relocating those items as part of any potential agreement.Why This Could Be a Good Move for YouYou see long-term potential in the property, especially with the large lot and development possibilities (even if those are years down the line).As the current tenants, you have the advantage of a direct relationship with the landlord and familiarity with the property, reducing competition and risk.This could be a chance to lock in a property that you might otherwise lose if it hit the open market, especially in today’s competitive environment.Challenges to ConsiderIf the landlord is emotionally tied to the property or reliant on rental income, they may be reluctant to sell.Financing could be tricky, especially with today’s interest rates and the gap between the current rent and what a conventional loan might cost.The development potential you’re interested in is likely a long-term play, which means the property could be financially tight in the short term, especially if you’re only breaking even or slightly negative on cash flow.Structuring a Potential DealTo make this feasible, you’ll likely need to explore creative financing options that align with both your financial capacity and the landlord’s goals.Seller Financing: Propose a deal where the landlord acts as the lender, allowing you to make monthly payments directly to them.

Policy Loan Costs & PerformanceYou’ll still pay interest when borrowing against your policy.

My wife nothing but student loans and car debt.

I own a mortgage company, so I have my loan officers use this Fannie Mae income calculation tool for all business for self borrowers: https://singlefamily.fanniemae.com/applications-technology/income-calculator .

Successful flippers are:- Building relationships with reliable contractors- Ordering materials well in advance- Being strategic about which renovations will truly deliver ROI Regulatory EnvironmentRecent changes to Phoenix building codes have emphasized:- Stricter energy efficiency requirements- More rigorous inspection processes- Additional permits for certain types of renovationsBe prepared for longer permitting timelines than in years past.Financial ConsiderationsThe financing landscape has evolved significantly:- Hard money lenders are offering more competitive rates (7-9%) than the 12-14% seen in 2022- Several Phoenix-specific investment groups have emerged that pool resources for flips- Traditional lenders now offer more renovation loan products tailored specifically to the Arizona marketThe Bottom LineThe Phoenix market in 2025 offers solid opportunity for house flippers who approach projects strategically.

Extended Family? 

They were thinking of planning another one that required massive loans (7 figures). 

Mortgages are the last thing to default for a homeowner and appreciation has been so high in Canada that every homeowner who has purchased before 2022 has gained equity and could just refinance their loan over a longer amortization before defaulting.