If I understand correctly your siblings goals are to sell their rental properties, use the funds to purchase a primary residence they'll eventually move into, and limit their tax liability correct?

It ends in a $395M annual loss and entire brand tarnished by political spin.

It may be time to cut your losses and move on from this real estate. 

Lack of down payment, lack of entrepreneurial personality, low tolerance for risk, looking for the magic key that fits their desires, just want to learn, sold "Castles in the sky" with a gibberish of disconnected statements that while true in a plethora of instances do not add up to truth in any one instance, fear of failure meaning not able to take a financial loss without going into poverty, never told up front how much money they will need to spend to buy the investment in addition to paying for the class.

I might try the “emergency service” which is $20 with limited data and just use that for the smart locks and ring cameras.

Off grid sounds cool to some, but it really limits your potential guest pool.

Does anyone have an attorney recommendation in Texas or other recommendations to remedy this loss?

So my limited experience with a new build did not yield cap ex expenses with what you are proposing. 

If you were limited in cash reserves atleast you'll have the HELOC as a 2nd or 3rd back up source of funds to weather storms.

Our manager also helped and encouraged us to limit our repairs/spending based on the area we are in and the type of property.