DO NOT give them that power or they may try and wield it againAs for the buyer.... they may just be trying to negotiate.....using some leverage that they just received....

Anyone know a high-powered accountant with real estate investing expertise?

I'm just trying to utilize the power of leverage to become financially free one day and i want to make sure whichever path I choose is the smartest way in my position.

Continue to Educate yourself because SDIRA is very powerful in building wealth.

I've also heard elsewhere that the bank/lender of the underlying loan may not authorize a pay-off without the borrower signing off on it.Do you recommend perhaps getting some kind of limited power of attorney with the seller as part of the deal so you can perform these actions on your own?

They can go in to the closing office and sign a power of attorney so the closing can proceed without them. 

I've taken out 2 other HELOCs in the past and spent them only on investments...so the HELOC can be a really powerful tool I know.

@Pete Sloa The more experience I get with judicial foreclosure and federal bankruptcy, the more I get accustomed to the idea that judges wield a lot of discretionary power and the way they wield that power is not always fair.

Here is that list:KitchenWindow near panty doesn't openPantry shelves and storage areas not cleanedOld items left in apartment (former tenant's junk in closets, etc)Hole in bottom and side of cabinet above stove (just an fyi)Floor has damaged areas (fyi only)Back Corner BedroomBroken exterior window, glass not cleaned upBlind missingWindow not sealedCrack in ceiling in closet (fyi only)Middle BedroomBlind in right side is brokenLarge BathroomFan makes loud high pitch noise (only sometimes)Minor stains in floor (clean if possible, or just fyi)Molding is cracked on tub (fyi)Blind doesn't work properlyFront BedroomBoth blinds missingFront ClosetItems left behindLiving RoomWindow sills very dirty, have spider websSmall cabinet to right of fireplace difficult to open/shutFireplace is not cleaned - wood and ashes left behindStain on entry french doors (looks like a booger)GeneralHot water does not workAll window sills are very dirty, some have spider webs (screens were left open allowing spiders to access)Many electrical outlets are recessed further than they should be - some plugs may not be able to plug inWindows (interior or exterior are dirty/stained)Door from dining room to kitchen should be removed (no door handle from dining room side and door scratches ground)Vegetation at front door needs to be cut back (covering mailbox, blocking entry to door)Exterior of house is dirty, should be power washed - looks like a sore thumb in the neighborhoodWe basically agree on having the apartment cleaned (windows, "booger" thing, etc), loose items removed, removing the door, correcting the vegetation and having all of the blinds replaced, hot water being corrected. 

I'm a commercial agent in San Antonio and I specialize in retail, which is anything from gas stations and car washes to QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) and STNL (Single Tenant Net Lease) to malls and Target Anchored power centers.