First you schedule a walk thru of apartment so you know if you want to renew them or not,, crappy house keeping,, what ever is almost good enough reason for me not to renew.Download a lease renewal form,, give within proper notice period,Raise rent if it warrants a raise, you need to market check your area.. 

How did this ever turn out?

If ever there was an unconstitutional law, there it is.

I am an agent, and I don't ever have anyone sign a buyer agreement. 

I believe that HELOCs can be interest only for a period of time, which can help with cash flow for sure, but can home equity loans ever be interest only?

No deal I've put together ever stays static from the first underwriting, you are always updated, tweaking, exploring scenarios, until you are satisfied that the deal generally works, or is dead.

I am in Monmouth/Ocean County if you ever need a friend - or a Realtor! 

Did you ever make a final decision & move forward?)

Has anyone ever taken outa loan just to get their real estate investing business off of the ground?

With that said, I would go research every post ever posted on Sub2 deals on BP and see who the SME's (subject matter experts) are on the topic and send them a message asking if they would and or have the time to help you with this matter.