Hello @Steve Cook I think that your ability to secure a HELOC would depend on the amount of equity that you have in those homes.

@David Cook We self manage and have done very well even with a transient career.

I have a tenant I inherited when I bought this 2-Flat in July 2013 in Cook County, Illinois.  

no that's not us  we are a year away have to jump through all the Portlandia hoopsbut we are looking at 2 facing Ivy and 2 facing Cook.

I would not continue renting in a place where facilities people were coming to inspect my unit every 2 weeks.

I sold an outdoor storage facility in Bonits Springs off a video based craigslist ad.

Your biggest initial upside is the fact that you can make-ready several units and get them stabilized for improved cash flow.Storage facilities are cheaper to build than aprtment buildings, so if you can do that, which is a great convenience to your tenants at the apartment complex, you can add that as the secondary upside.

You were offered retail pricing, and the rent numbers were cooked - I'd redirect the super-secret hookup to your spam folder - they're wasting your time.

@Jarrod Cook- thanks for a fair response.  

Frank's list is solid, just a few to add...Cook County Court Case Lookup: http://www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org/?