@Joshua Gregory regarding paying interest on the cash out, you can use that as a tax deduction.

I think there are some tax effects to a HELOC vs. a traditional mortgage, in that HELOC interest may not be tax deductible. 

Use your standard purchase agreement form and add the Seller Financing Addendum for instances where you need it.Some other search terms to use would be Seller Carryback and Seller Financing.

You should consider if any of your businesses qualify for the new 20% qualified business income deduction.

After they vacate, send them a statement of charges including deductions for the unpaid rent and lawn damages with a balance due.

Anyone deducting uniform items?

Its the industry standard for a reason. 

@Nick Brubaker deductibility of the loan follows use, so you would not be able to deduct any mortgage interest or closing costs from the loan against rental income.

I initially wanted to rely on the caterers rent, and the rent from the cottage next door, while living in the main house (using the money to bring it all to FHA standards).

There are other stipulations, but this is a broad enough definition to assume that other outlying suburbs are similar.Also, keep in mind that Minneapolis offers a $250 deduction off of the fee if you attend a rental property management course (in-person).