However, the forecasted growth suggests increasing confidence among investors returning to the market.

Always run title to check for any clouds, try not to gamble on super small tracts of land like this unless confident in own title searching capabilities.

I feel confident in property management, so I am ready to move to a different niche, what should my next step be?

Most importantly at the end of the day, you have to feel confident with your choice.

Is it true that if I get a title search (and it comes back clean) that I can be pretty confident there are no additional liens or monies owed that I'll now be responsible for paying off? 

In my case, I have relatives who are builders (in a different state) but have good connections with subs, etc. and I am spending the time to personally review all proposals (obtaining some on my own as a check), etc. so that I am confident that the cost incurred is appropriate. 

Get used to underwriting properties to build confidence.

I am representing a few right now and having taken a close look at the financials, I can confidently say that these can be a very smart investment.  

Hopefully a CPA can chime in here, as they would be the only ones qualified to weigh in confidently.

With a HELOC, determination, due diligence, and a bit of luck, I am confident that I will achieve success in this REI.