I’d rather spend the money on fresh mulch for the the front curb appeal or having something extra cool like a bark-edged cutting board when staging.

There is a full garden and the whole friggin house is wrapped in plants...then the double lot is grown over with random shrubs and little trees.It's literally surrounded by a ragtag bunch of different plants haphazardly planted.If in the spring I were to cut most of them out, freeing up the .3 acres into a nice big yard and to tidy up around the outside, would I expect to see some equity added when appraised?

It's called the Garden State for a reason and all those farms in Salem County get boat loads of money from the state to stay operating. 

Every trip we spot houses and commercial buildings springing up like the weeds in my garden. 

I'd liket to take the lawn out and put something that's requires less maintenance and water.I am unimaginative so I'd love to get some ideas from landlords out there and names of some gardeners who can do the work.  

If there is not quite enough equity to knock out both then you've still paid by your private money person and most of your HELOC.This gives you stable rates AND a fresh "line of credit" with both your HELOC and your private money partner who you just faithfully repaid. 

I think the house could support 7-8 rooms + kitchen bathrooms and a social space, i can add a garden outside.

Added brighter lights and fresh paint.

For example, there is a garden hose being utilized fordrain line which appears to be undersized and not routed and/or connected to a laundry plumbing drain line.

A buyer will likely pay more than your appraiser's estimate because they want a freshly painted and rehabbed house, but an appraiser can only arrive at that number if a buyer has paid it for a comp in the last few months.