I'm happy to share the opportunity so I can learn from someone who's "been there, done that", and I know that this will be the first of many deals we can work on together!

I just leave them in my lock box unless there is an emergency and i need one. 

I don't think the intended use of the HELOC should matter, however, I am hoping to use the credit line to finance new business opportunities . . .    

I do think it could be a high-end house hack, in the sense that the market is down right now and we're selling at the low end of the range for a house of this size, and there are some obvious improvement opportunities (e.g., kitchen, master bath). 

Other investment (non real estate) opportunities look more attractive as time goes on. 

Is there a creative workaround to start investing now, I feel like there are good opportunities that I am missing out on or is it a wait it out the type of situation?  

There may be an opportunity for some lower end housing in all of that, just not an area I have much experience.  

Yes I did go to the auction and was able to pickup 2 properties, the deeds will be mailed in couple of weeks.It was a great opportunity - more than 400 properties and less crowd/competitors (July 4th week, ppl took days off)

However, I'm a visual learner and would love the opportunity to accompany someone while walking through a property.

I have been told that often they only mandate transferring title back but I suspect they could call the loan and not provide the opportunity to transfer back.