I'll be using my home equity line of credit to get started.

While I am familiar with the ADA response to this topic -essentially all favorable to a tenant, but it appears there is an abuse of the definition as they are all employed, functional individuals who leave the assistive pet at home all day.

I know with rental properties, one of the main goals is the build long term equity in that home with some extra net cash flow after all expenses and savings.

Also you might make however many calls you need to make sure you're exhausting whatever equity (or retirement accounts) you have available.I bought my first house with some % of my 401k for the downpayment. 

After I season the property for 6 or 12 months, I plan to pull out the equity to pay back the lender $30,000 + INTEREST% in a lump sum. 

In order to do a sandwich lease option the seller does need equity ( in my opinion and experience ) - however that doesn't mean your price can't be close to the retail value. 

You need a cash Equity partner, how much equity you can retain is up to negotiation.....they need to see what value you are bringing.

You will need some equity in the property to get a loan from most lenders.

I'm just hunting for more equity so I can refi and have some cash to put into the next deal.

With the appropriate deal, you can cover all your expenses and live there for free while building equity.