If you think your skin color is preventing you from finding success in America, you are your own worst enemy.

@Crystal Wilson read your HOA rules and regs and see if there are provisions preventing you from sub leasing your place.

That's not the cure-all that will prevent a recession but it's a positive bit of news. 

The plumber stated that there were roots and about 6ft of "flushable" wipes that were blocking the pipes.

(hard money/private lenders).A good rule of thumb to prevent this is to ensure the investor keeps about 4-to-1 or 5-to-1 equity in each deal.

We have to remove the entire front porch (structural damage due to roots) and will be removing all of the columns.

Im just wondering if there is a law or something that would prevent me from buying a distress home at near payoff or loan value before the auction.

There will probably be some limit that prevents companies or out of town individuals from owning STRs, and probably limits local investors to 1 or 2 STR properties. 

Roof needs some work around flashing to prevent leaks, a few windows need panes replaced, etc. 

I don't want to decrease my credit score further by closing on the HELOC and hurting my chances of getting good terms on my cashout refis.I need to close my desired loans and do a new investment purchase in the next 3-4 months as my work situation will prevent me from doing any real estate deals for the next two years and I will no longer live in this area where I want to buy.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.