The previous owner installed a baseboard heater, which I turned to a medium setting (3 or 4 out of 7) throughout winter to prevent frozen pipes and other possible problems.

I don't really agree David, funds in accounts are seized, assets frozen, property auctioned off.

I see many students or "wannabe's" sit on the sidelines, essentially frozen by either fear or paralysis of analysis because they don't take action. 

Frozen at first but as I think it through it becomes easier to conceptualize.Any advice  would be so appreciated.  

I just looked up Viera High, and unfortunately, they are frozen out of area applications, so at this time the only way to attend there is to live within the boundaries.  

I live in the East San Francisco Bay Area. keep in mind that helocs can and do get frozen..even after you have opened them up. 

HW tanks, boiler if it has one, a frozen water meter is expensive to replace.

You will have different issues depending on what time of year it is (winter, frozen pipes if not well insulated), spring and summer, water getting through windows or brick exterior that may need pointed or has bad lintels)....the list goes on.If your new to buying old properties I would recommend at least 3-5k in reserve to weather the first two years of repairs and learning how the property will perform.

also sold stock to build cash to protect real estate in downturn keep in mind Lines of credit whether helocs or tradition signature lines can and will be called and frozen in a bad economy.. so don't count on those  to bail you out.. unless you get them now and evergreen them right away.

I would only use heloc for fix and flip and or BRRR I would never use it for simply equity on a long term hold.you buy a rental and you have to sell it your going to have costs that means your going to lose money when you sell.that means you just borrowed against your home and now have to pay your equity loan off with money you lost.also keep in mind Helocs can get called or frozen.. so don't want to count on them like its for sure you can access those funds.