I'm also looking to attend some meetings in the are to better understand the process and the cases made to deny the variance. 

I tried to put in a open records request with Austin Utilities for a list of properties with inactive accounts but it was denied saying that information related to customers' electric utility accounts are protected. 

Then you have to consider a reason for that and they can still deny your claim being that the underwriter may feel you are purchasing for investment purpose.

I have been denied way more than said yes too, but if you want to grow rich you have to put the work in.  

Assuming that this is correct (which I am sure others can confirm or deny), is there any reason that you wouldn't consider a HELOC?

To deny somebody a much needed home on the results of a simple Google Search to a news article from a neighboring city whose source is news station?

If you deny you will be sued. 

Your in AZ an bought in OH you'll be lucky to fine most will deny as they don't lend to residents not residing in the same state they own property.Which city in OH did you buy in anyways

They turned into a landlord's nightmare - calling the town inspector for extremely minor issues, without ever having informed us of any problems, denying us access to the unit to make these extremely minor repairs, parking in such a way as to block access to the lot, sending us foul languaged and threatening texts.  

We use the following protocol on a unit that we suspect pet damage and we will require evidence in case of court, i.e, pictures.When we do the move out inspection we will pull any area of carpet back to reveal stains on the backing from pet urine that the resident denies they had.