In similar situations @Nick Am, keep us updated on your findings.

It is an urgent situation and you have to fundamentally change everything.

these investments will either make sense for you and your family's financial situation, or they won't.  

Bit of a crossroads here, I'm hoping someone with a similar situation could chime in.  

Publication 336 (cash method section) gives a clear example very similar to the situation described where constructive receipt was made because the agent of the taxpayer received payment for the taxpayer. 

Every situation is different... but if those POHs are busted up the park is worth only a fraction of what he is asking.

They will do magic for your financial situation.  

not everyone's family situation or commute or lifestyle permits it, but it's a great way to get started.it's also just objectively tougher to find good deals now than it used to be. 

Obviously tough to give advice based on minimal info and no info on your personal situation.

Obviously I don't know your entire situation so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.That peace of mind you get from a HELOC could be misplaced.