I would like to share an article outlining how to become a successful real estate investor.

Well I think the good news is the refi from the deal itself is going to take its rental income into account for the DTI calculation, while DTI from the initial HELOC will not. 

Any guidance, reference articles, documents are very much appreciated.

And there are tons of articles about this- and they can be really confusing.

When I first applied I estimated my home value at 390k which would give me a line of credit of 62k at an 80% loan to value ratio. (390k x 0.8 - mortgage balance)The appraisal came back at 420k which great news however when I requested that the limit be moved up to 80% LTV of the appraisal amount (86k) I was told that the loan commitment had already expired so in order to get up to 86k it would need to be a new application and also I would not get the promotional interest rate of 1.99% for the first year.

Good news is that you're receiving around $350 a month in principal reduction.

Nashville Keeps GrowingA link to the article can be found here. 

The articles I’m reading have me confused on whether or not I’m supposed to step in and catch her water bill up (three months worth so 180ish plus late fees).

On the issue that just arrived today, the entire front page is "Skyrocketing Housing Prices".Some of the points made in the article are: “What we are living with now is a result of and reaction to the Great Recession”“Add to this whole mix the pandemic, and it is the low-wage earning service workers that have been most hurt and that causes a really big disparity in income”“Sellers have become accustomed to asking over the market value and getting it”“There is going to have to be more affordable housing, bottom line”"the city is discussing developer incentives to set aside a number of units in development for workforce housing; revitalizing older neighborhoods"Here is a link to the full article Low inventory leads to rising housing prices across Chandler, East Valley | Community ImpactWhat are your thoughts? 

I am compensated unbelievably well for my work, and what's even better, I'm compensated in both increased rent and equity, not a one-time paycheck.The bad news is, you can look forward to at least a five-year apprenticeship, you have to have reasonably good hand-eye coordination, the job is more dangerous than most, you get no respect, and you'll spend too much time alone trying to motivate yourself.