Is that $80K total or for a down payment. 

For real estate, saving to get the down payment ready will be the first hurdle.

For example, cash advance apps don't report activity to the credit bureaus unless you are seriously behind on your payments.

Purchased a home during the pandemic, value has gone up roughly 2.5(estimating), believe i have enough value in a HELOC to get a down payment on a second home.. is it a wise decision to add that to my plate then rent the first house for mortgage payment+?

A down payment is skin in the game.

I am currently  in the process of purchasing my next primary home in GA using a VA loan and my own savings as a down payment. 

A reverse mortgage can be paid off, but the parents may have trouble obtaining financing as typically a reverse mortgage is received when borrowers have trouble making monthly payments and have little income but lots of equity.

You won't get monthly owner statements or payments, and in the end, they will just disappear with your funds.DIY remotely managing Class D rentals - we'd PAY to watch that trainwreck on HGTV!

My monthly payment is coming to about $5,000.

I have not dealt with this in the past, but i know fellow investors who have had money partners put in for the down payment and given the money partner a return on their partnership.