But on the other hand, you can also convert into a Roth and enjoy tax-free rental income for the rest of your life.Great book: Leverage your IRA by Mathew Allen.

And at the end of raising the funds it would be converted t US dollar anyway, the benefit to raising funds through crypto would be international but the US money laundering laws and KYC is conflicting with that therefore adding more cost but also a great idea.

The biggest thing to consider is 85% of all people who take out a Heloc will eventually do a cash out refinance in 3 years to consolidate it anyways.

I'm closing on a house that used to be a single family, but was converted to be a duplex.

Consistent with the advice of @Jo Bradley , if I could get through the first couple years financially, keeping current home seems a lot easier than long distance investing...and at least I know what is wrong with my current home (I.e it will eventually need new roof etc). 

If you are going to be active, and have high conviction in a project with a clearly defined entry/exit strategy then using a HELOC is one of the better sources of capital.But, I continue to have my stance that, on average, folks who use a HELOC to fund the down payment for long-term investments will eventually find themselves in a situation where their portfolios drain their personal financial situations, rather than fueling them. 

Eventually, you will see a property pop up that is an outlier in your favor, and you will be the only person who knows that market so well as to be able to strike quickly.The 1% rule had a value at one point, maybe as a screening tool, but it could never compete with the specialist who has done the reps.This is spot on. 

(You won’t get the ongoing tax break and you’ll be selling or paying the taxes to cash out.)You convert capital gains income in to regular income. 

Worst possible outcome the 3 acre lot gets converted to 4 lots utilizing a Parcel Map ?

Personally I am looking to grow in RE and buy a 2nd home in LA/SD and eventually buy a multifamily complex.