At this point, the HELOC isn't urgent, but would be nice to have in case I needed it for a future opportunity.

I am excited for the future and ultimately the financial freedom to be able to travel the world to my hearts content while investing back in the communities in a variety of ways. 

I reside in Hotlanta, the future home of Amazon’s HQ2 (fingers crossed)!

If you think there will be another recession/depression in the future that would bring house prices with it, sell.

That being said, I feel Bakersfield would be a great place for you to invest, and if you have some free time please feel free to look through my previous posts to give you my version of what I think will happen in Bakersfield in the future.

I could bring the HUD statements (showing ownership of the US properties), my US incorporation documents, my Canadian incorporation document (the Canadian company that owns my US business), information about the ownership of my house in Canada (to prove I have existing ties to Canada and no intent of relocating to the United States, etc.)I am a little apprehensive of this and i want to make sure that I do everything correctly so I will not have any problems in the future with crossing the US border.

Are these areas run down, do you see any revitalization happening in the near future?

I don't want it to sound cheesy to potential tenants and/or potential future investors.

Abstract fees (abstract of title fees).Charges for installing utility services.Legal fees (including title search and preparationof the sales contract and deed).Recording fees.Surveys.Transfer taxes.Owner's title insurance.Any amounts the seller owes that you agree to pay, such as back taxes or interest,recording or mortgage fees,charges for improvements or repairs,and sales commissions.Settlement costs do not include amounts placed in escrow for the future payment of items such as taxes and insurance.3) if there were other costs incurred to acquire the house such as if you spend money for tax advice, tickets to fly to look at the house( or milage)  and such also gets added to the basisGood luck

You have so many options available to you in the future I'd simply take a look at today.