One con of this option is it reduces the buy it fast option you could have if you did the heloc first. 

My assumption is that a lien of 1M for whatever age old violations on a 200K property would basically make this property unsellable and that the city would in the interest of seeing the property purchased and turned around more open to reducing the lien to some more reasonable based on the market value of the property.

The better location of being closer to downtown would likely reduce vacancies/have way more resell value but then you would need more roommates, does anyone have experience house hacking multiple properties and seeing what worked best? 

Not sure if you want to share it publicly, but if you can just pm me the info, I would appreciate it. 

When things soften up those properties will probably have to reduce rents.   

Which would be the better route: work for a Public CPA Firm in the Real Estate division or obtain a Real Estate License?

It has drastically reduced my housing costs, allowing me to quickly save for my next house hack in 12-18 months.

I value that monthly rent more than the reducing my loan amount.

Even in the relatively few instances where you could partner with your retirement funds, the reduced flexibility and increased risk of a PT may not be worth it.

Again you can buy a list on the internet and in some states where that is public record you can look it up at the courthouse3.