@Korie Apgar, normally the problem with the blanket mortgages is when you want to sell one of the properties ... double check with the lender if it is possible or not. 

I normally follow up with people to see if they were interested and what they thought.  

My goals are to gradually build wealth and cash flow over time while having a normal engineering career. slow and steady wins the race I guess :)I have been considering two common newbie strategies either owner occupying a duplex or to buy a simple single family property such as a townhouse for less but then plan to move within the next year or two and move on to the next property while renting the other.

Then it does turn into a normal loan that you cannot draw from.  

Normally, standard C.A.R lease contract should stated most of the things you mentioned.2.

Is this additional fee normal?

(Normally a 3 day turn around from when the inspector is onsite to when the money is in your bank)17) What does the draw process look like?

What I  mean by 'true' -  is the property is held free and clear with no liens and close at the title company (title transfer into your name), etc (just like a normal bank financing, but held by a private individual).  

Combining the your cash with your HELOC could allow you to make a larger than normal investment that should theoretically make more than the interest rate on any of your loans. 

They essentially will need to apply for a tax ID # (ITIN) since they normally don't have a SS# and setup a U.S. bank account to take in their distributions from the partnership which are typically paid quarterly.