Interesting but I don't have a lot of money that is why I'm willing to sacrifice time/sweat in rehab for a low budget property that after its done is like 40% cap rate compared to 12-15% on a single family normal rehab property.

If I compare the Schiller SFBayArea median home price vs S&P500/NASDAQ, the percentage increase since 2000 seems to be about the same.

They also use my brokers' license allowing us access to the MLS for retail selling of property and comparable information.

Also consider @Amanda Han, she is nationally known CPA, author and speaker, her articles here on BiggerPockets are valuable resources for thousands of investors. 

I don’t know about the specific property you are talking about, but my guess would be someone is using a HUD financing product that comes with a restriction that they have to rent to people below a certain standard compared to the median in their market.

Federal rules state a payoff demand must be supplied within 7 days of legitimate request (unless state rule is more restrictive) so, again, chances are slim to none that you can put a deal together that quickly and even if you could, would have to be an all cash deal with authorized parties (Daughter as documented legitimate successor in interest).

They expect a smart borrower to shop around and compare terms, ask one lender if they'll match or beat another.

Initially my wife was pushing for the heloc as the method to get our down payment money but I insisted on as closely as possible comparing the numbers to the cash out refi. 

I am pursuing a degree in accounting because I believe it teaches one of the core principles of financial literacy and success such as accounting (management of money) as stated by Robert Kiyosaki (author of rich dad poor dad), Sales (management of people) be taught through experience as a RE agent and  management of businesses is taught through the college or RE agent experience. 

Be aware, too, that the first mortgage holder is unlikely to give you any information about the loan without an authorization form signed (and maybe notarized) by the borrower.