Otherwise you've just incurred more expenses and lowered your ability to save. 

.- You may be able to qualify for a loan at a much lower interest rate than a loan to flip. - If you live in the house for more than 2 years, you may be able to sell without paying capital gains taxes.

otherwise  most mortgage broker will do Amortize 20-25 year and 5 year term with lower interest .

Food for thought.Another option that I have investors employing now is a combination of separating cash and debt to create an environment of lowered risk but good return using the 1031 exchange to separate debt (risk) and cash (security). 

I was thinking more southern states that have lower maintainence(no snow to plow).

Is this a "housing project" for low income renters that may scare away some home buyers / renters and lower property values and rental income around it?

According to Zillow, he's been trying to sell it for a few years now (he keeps lowering the price), but it isn't selling.

If she does not sell it after a period of time, then she may resort to a lower price. 

I can typically get those smaller items fixed for the price of the service call or even lower and its not worth the hassle.If you are hoping to get the HVAC replaced or other appliances by them, it might work out unless it takes few more years and by then, you already spend that money on the home warranty and service call fees and they might not even cover the whole thing once it comes to replacing.They are here to make money and they will go out of their way to replace parts before replacing the entire item.

If your current HELOC lender has an introductory rate you might even be able to raise the limit of your HELOC to enter into that promotional rate and lower it even more.