If the HELOC doesn't work you can also raise private money to close the deal based on debt or equity structure.

I have a number of homes in my name and one investment property  with a private money loan that’s in my LLC where my LLC is debtor.  

Higher down payments on long term debt or higher leverage on bridge debt.

No CC debt or any other consumer debt.   

Is that a lump sum of all debt or just the original mortgage? 

I would like to gain advice on how to use trading income to hedge or service RE debt or use trading income to reduce RE principal balances.

@William HowleyFiling for bankruptcy places an "automatic stay" on all the debtors assets meaning that the foreclosure cannot take place until the bankruptcy judge (or trustee) releases the property from the bankruptcy.Typically in the introductory remarks the attorney or sheriff conducting the sale disclaims any liability for title issues with the exception that if they are unable convey title the money will be refunded.  

Do you attribute your success more to the fact that you are an exceptional attorney or the fact that the debtor "messed up"?

There must be a note somewhere in order for there to be a lien which secures said debt memorialized in the note.A lien being stripped, as Jerry W describes, does not mean the debt is discharged it means the lien is removed from the property and the debt is moved into the unsecured category of the plan and follows those claims of the unsecured debtors in the plan.   

From my experience, the majority seem to be people in a "transitional" life stage, (i.e. empty nesters, students, newlyweds, just graduated, relocated for job, etc.) as Michael mentioned.Also, as Chad touched on, with the general population having massive student loan debt, general spending debt, or those who are still recouping after the recession, renting allows them the time to build/re-build credit, savings, etc.