IMO properties in excess of 4-units are likely better valued using an income approach because they are mainly purchased for investment purposes.

Should I consider getting a loan of some form for the work and then using a cashout on the value to pay that off and keep the excess to apply to the next door?

The reason for this is most associated with poor grade or pitch which caused  excessive soil /water pressure against the wall resulting in incremental displacement as wall yields to horizontal earth pressure.

When a tenant moves out, transfer the deposit back to Checking so it's ready to apply towards expenses or to refund to the Tenant.If you end up with excess funds in the Checking account, I recommend you transfer it to a third account that is specifically designated for future investments.

Problem is, the fees are going to be SO EXCESSIVE... it may not even be worth it for you to press forward.i would recommend the conventional route if that's an option. 

Mr Money Mustache and his wife were high payed executives/bankers types earning in excess of $200k a year, and they did the right things at the right time, and no doubt had luck on their side.

This seems to suggest that a piggy back HELOC is still tax deductible; and, by extension, the 100k in excess to the $1M on grandfathered mortgages is still tax deductible.

The excess amount of income after paying for everything else is the debt serviceability. 

(Not that they were being excessively loud).

Besides flashlight, measuring tape, telescoping ladder,outlet tester, and electronic thermometer\ moisture detector what else should I pack.