He was really counting on that so he's fairly "motivated" I've been doing tons of research on creative real estate investing but haven't done a deal yet.

Still in the learning phase, but maybe we will cross paths at some point.

I have a rep out there who could verify the actual quality of the work, but if I were to get it county permitted after the fact (if needed), and thus counted as new living space, will the tax go up? 

I will be flying out there and staying until I can hit my goal of acquiring 3 properties through owner-financing... fingers crossed!).

It is usually looked at as a bonus happening and was not counted on.Good luck to you!

I just went thru hell with these people who are leaving... counting the hours until they are gone

Of course they never found it and the city of Harrisburg eventually went bankrupt due to the massive expenditure of placing the official USA Today “#1 City in the USA” graphic on every police car, ambulance, uniform, fire truck, building, park bench, police dog, memorial statue, lamppost, street light, crossing guard, trash truck… you get the point.

If those numbers look good, there's no point in *not* securing your HELOC, as it doesn't count for anything until you use it, but it's there if/when you need it. 

Fingers crossed for you!  

Crossing fingers it works