This is my first thread on BP as I've been spending the majority of my time researching and reading on the forums, however I do have 1 quick question i was hoping you all could help me with.I intend to use a HELOC on my primary residence for my first rental purchase and through my research i've learned that banks like to see funds in a bank account for a certain period of time, before they are willing to accept those funds as a viable down payment for a loan on an investment property.This is interesting to me, because the obvious goal with a HELOC is not to use those funds until the last minute, since you are paying interest on them. 

I just moved down here about 6 months ago (right after Harvey) and I'm currently looking for a new primary residence.

Unless it is primary residence i would not advise to buy property in SF bay area.

I reside in San Diego, CA and stumbled across the BP podcast about 3 months ago.

We like to set our residents up for success. 

Is this a typical amount of land a resident would expect? 

If it were me and you are occupying the primary residence on the lot I would not spend the extra money to separate utilities. 

After a few years, we purchased our current residence in Tustin, CA. 

Is there a maximum number of days of residency per month/year, etc?

To live there it must be his primary residence.