If it was a rent ready home then then you might have a harder time getting your HELOC funds back as there will be no significant increase in value.

Upon death, assets would step up in value. 

From there, a contractor to bid the plan set and a real estate agent (highly experienced with RE investing experience) to analyze the difference in value from the existing use to the new use.

That's an increase in value by $2.22 million6.5 cap market.

You’ll find plenty of friendly, knowledgeable people willing to respond to your posts.The site has quite a few tools that can be helpful for new members.

Cash-out refinances are amazing tools, but you do need to time them right.I think the optimum setup for you is to have maybe one house with a HELOC on it.

Even when I have had access to the MLS, I still used other programs with better search tools. layout, Etc as  @Russell Brazil said....I have had a RE license in addition to Contr's. license and IMHO the RE license should be left to professionals.

I'm in the Cleveland area so cashflow rental properties are more prevalent than anything that will significantly appreciate in value.

A bad joke at that.That's because none of the automated valuation tools have any idea about the interior condition.Take two 3/2, 1800 sq ft ranches on 2 acres, both in the same neighborhood, both built in 1930 by the same builder. 

It's about having the right tools.