With interest rates rising and those of us with HELOCs with variable rates, what's the strategy that would help a Buy/Hold investor to weather these economy for the coming years?

It is crucial to know what is happening in the economy and housing market, so that’s why I am asking you for some help.

Good luck, this economy is producing lots of uncertainty aka opportunity

Imagine you sold in March 2020 when Covid was predicted to destroy the economy.....you would have lost out on a ridiculous amount of wealth. 

The major unknown is the economy and the mid-term elections.

I am not an Oracle who could see/predict future, but just keep in mind, economy is slowing, news of less vacay spending is all day everyday (you can discount it as noise as well or take it FWIW).

If in the event the world economy completely implodes you have an asset to leverage.

Understand the dynamics of the local economy.

Are you focused on Economy or midscale segment ?

I expect slight increases in interest rates maybe a few base points, but nothing like the 75 that happened this month (June) if the market does not slow down if the market does slow down then I wouldn't expect any more interest hikes, especially with gas prices pushing down traveling demands and slowing the economy down in its own way.