I know most people wait to hear everyone else talking about an area before they will believe in it.

There is a lot to breakdown from your post and I certainly won't be able to hit it all here. 

It's been my experience that people talk a good game, but get serious alligator arms when it comes time to reach their checkbook.

I would absolutely use the pipes as a hit against the property when negotiating to try and justify a lower purchase price, but I would wait until there was a sign of failure to replace anything. 

Hi, I'm very new to real estate investing and I hope to get connected to people who can help me start on this journey.

You need a reason not to make decisions on the spot with people.

I've been searching for HELOC lenders and have been hitting roadblocks with the low LTV's (70-80%) of property value.

If you have doubts do not go with it is my adviceIt is a lot of money if you have second thoughts rightThere will be other deals in Gulf Shores ALFrankly it is not such that thousand people are waiting in line to buy there:)

What's the best way to connect with buyers in there, make a post or steal the emails off peoples sale posts?

The only time I know of recently in the US when house prices dropped was about 15 years ago when banks had been lending money to people that should never have been given loans.