My question should I try to pull cash out at refi or just refi and create more cash flow since my interest will be much lower.

I think his 12% may be referencing his multi-family that he owns and operates, unless he's not able to pull out all his funding.

How do I know things like the cost of water and sewer, loan points, ARV (without an agent to pull comps), Capital Expenditures, or any other number of items without fully engaging the seller? 

Annual property taxes - I pulled off of the listing. $1,687 for county and $1,312 for city for a combined $2,999/year, amortized at $249.92 a month.

However it was fully rented pulling in $1400 rent with long term tenants. 

Hey Brad,You may not even need to pull permits if you are doing a light or cosmetic rehab.  

I have even seen cases where the city takes away the grandfathered use immediately if you pull a home off of a space. 

I'm currently successfully pulling off the BRRR strategy in Indianapolis.

The rental market in Houston is strong and I am looking to leverage the equity and grow the portfolio especially in some of the up and coming areas.My main question is about pulling out equity from a property in a high tax area like Houston.

I am looking at local banks, but when I googled best rates for HELOC it pulled up a company called Connexus.